Perth Glory’s on-fire attack have the chance to leapfrog Brisbane with a win in the West but it promises to be a tricky assignment against a Roar outfit buoyed by their ACL success and hitting their straps at the right time in the league.
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MATCH DETAILS
Saturday, 18 February 2017
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar FC
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 7:00PM (Local) (10:00PM (AEDT))
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referee 1: Scott Edeling
Assistant Referee 2: Josh Mannella
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 10.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: ABC Grandstand
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvBRI
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au
Perth Glory squad: 3.Marc WARREN, 4.Shane LOWRY 5.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (c), 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 13.Nick FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joe MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Aryn WILLIAMS, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Kosta PETRATOS, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Marc WARREN (promoted), 4.Shane LOWRY (returns from injury), 23.Kosta PETRATOS (promoted)
Out: 24.Milan SMILJANIC (released)
Unavailable: 2.Alex GRANT (foot – 2 weeks), 18.Mitch OXBORROW (foot – 2 weeks)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Michael THEO (gk), 3.Luke DEVERE, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Brett HOLMAN, 11.Tommy OAR, 13.Jade NORTH, 15.ARANA, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 22.Thomas BROICH, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 29.Joe CALETTI, 43.Tomislav BILIC (gk), 46.Cameron CRESTANI, 50.Dane INGHAM
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Jade NORTH (returns from suspension), 22.Thomas BROICH (promoted), 24.Connor O’TOOLE (promoted), 29.Joe CALETTI (promoted), 43.Tomislav BILIC (gk) (promoted)
Outs: 4.Daniel BOWLES (knee – season), 5.Corey BROWN (hamstring – 3 weeks), 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk) (not selected)
Unavailable: 19.Jack HINGERT (ankle – 1-2 weeks)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Most eyes might be on the Sydney Derby this weekend but this clash in the West could well be the fixture of the round.
Glory is flying right now after three wins in their last four games, including a 5-0 rout of champions Adelaide last time out.
And there should be a decent crowd at nib Stadium on Saturday night to see if Kenny Lowe’s side can get the win which would take them to third on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
These two played out a nine-goal thriller – which Glory won 6-3 – the last time they played in Perth so if this one is half as good, strap yourself in.
All signs are there should be goals, especially with the home side’s attacking quartet of Diego Castro, Andy Keogh, Adam Taggart and Chris Harold all in their best form of the season so far.
For their part, Roar is also in decent touch, unbeaten in their last four games in the league, six if you included two wins in their AFC Champions League qualifiers.
But they missed a huge opportunity to tighten their group on a top-four spot, surrendering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Melbourne City last Saturday night.
Their away form has been patchy as well, winning just two of their last eight games on the road which would be a concern for coach John Aloisi.
They also begin their ACL group stage campaign on Tuesday night against Muangthong United so it will be interesting to see if Aloisi goes with a full-strength starting XI.
While Jade North returns from suspension, Roar could be a little light at the back with Hingert, Brown and Bowles all unavailable through injury.
OPTA DATA
- Perth Glory are undefeated in their last four home games against Brisbane (W2, D2) and have scored 11 goals in their last three such fixtures.
- Brisbane Roar are currently unbeaten in four matches heading into this contest (W2, D2).
ROUTE TO GOAL
No team has scored more goals in the last five rounds than Glory, with Lowe’s men amassing an impressive 12 in that time.
There’s a purple tidal wave starting to pick up momentum and in this type of mood they will be more than just nuisance value come the playoffs.
And it’s not hard to see why Perth have caught fire in the attacking third.
One of the few sides in the Hyundai A-League to play with a front two, Keogh and Taggart are proving a formidable combination for defences to handle.
They seem to be pushing each other as well, with both on nine goals for the campaign. Just behind them is the classy Castro (eight goals).
There’s arguably been no more consistent player of the last month than the silky Spaniard. When he’s in the mood, Glory goes to another level.
But the home side’s defence won’t have it easy either with Roar’s attack also purring along.
And the beauty of Brisbane’s attack is they are very flexible and throw many different elements at their opposition.
They can play direct and utilise the pace of Maclaren, but also have the powerful runs of Borrello, the crossing and shooting quality of Oar and the creativity and experience of Broich and Holman.
Maclaren’s brace last week against City took his season tally to double figures (10) and the ex-Glory man has scored in each of his last three games against his former club.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Brandon Borrello. The Roar flyer has capped a memorable few weeks by being named the NAB Young Footballer of the Year nominee for January. Can he keep his rich vein of form going in the west?
