Hyundai A-League preview: Glory v Roar

Resurgent Perth Glory could set a new club record with a fifth straight win but will need to overcome Hyundai A-League leaders Brisbane Roar at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

Saturday, 20 February 2016

Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar FC

nib Stadium, Perth

Kick-Off: 6:40 PM (Local) (9:40 PM (AEDT))

Referee: Strebre Delovski

Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis

Assistant Referee 2: Josh Mannella

Fourth Official: Adam Fielding

TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 9.30pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand)

Radio Broadcast: 720 ABC Perth, 612 ABC Brisbane, ABC Local Radio WA, ABC Local Radio Qld, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live.

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvBRI

To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets

Perth Glory squad: 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Marc WARREN, 4.Shane LOWRY, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Gyorgy SANDOR, 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA (c), 12.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Chris HAROLD, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18. Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 21.Kosta PETRATOS, 23.KrisztianVADOCZ, 29.Aryn WILLIAMS

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 6.Dino DJULBIC (returns from injury), 18.Mitch OXBORROW (returns from illness)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee – indefinite)

Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Michael THEO (gk), 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 5.Corey BROWN, 7.CORONA, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.HENRIQUE, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Daniel BOWLES, 15.James DONACHIE, 17.Matt McKAY (c), 18.Javier HERVAS, 19.Jack HINGERT, 20.Shannon BRADY, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 28.Brandon BORRELLO

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 3.Shane STEFANUTTO (return from injury), 20.Shannon BRADY (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 6.Jerome POLENZ (quadricep muscle – 7 weeks), 11.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (quadricep muscle – 5 weeks)

BLUFFER’S GUIDE

The spotlight may be on the Sydney derby or Melbourne Victory versus Adelaide United this weekend but it could be argued this match will be the best fixture of the round.

Perth are flying and after back-to-back away games, they’re back at nib Stadium where they will host leaders Brisbane on Saturday night in front of what should be a big crowd. 

Glory have only lost one of their past eight home games in the A-League, and having scored 12 goals in their last four matches at all venues, Kenny Lowe’s team will be confident against the visitors from Queensland.

Perth defeated Sydney FC 2-1 last week, with Chris Harold scoring his fifth goal in as many matches.

For their part, Roar are back in pole position after their 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets last week, which took them a point clear of Western Sydney Wanderers. 

But Brisbane have only won two of their past eight away games, which doesn’t bode well for coach John Aloisi.

But this is one of Brisbane’s favourite fixtures, with the Roar having only lost one of their last nine games against the Glory.

A win for Perth could take them into the top six by the end of weekend if Sydney FC lose to Wanderers and the Glory reel in the Sky Blues’ four-goal, goal difference advantage.

OPTA DATA

• Brisbane are undefeated in their last four matches against Perth, including wins in their last two encounters
• The Roar have a win percentage of 57.6 against the Glory, their second-highest against any team
• The Glory are aiming for a club record fifth consecutive win
• Brisbane have kept three clean sheets away from home this season, the most of any team

ROUTE TO GOAL

No team has scored more goals in the last five rounds than Perth, with Lowe’s side, notching an impressive 14.

Suddenly momentum has a purple shade, with many predicting the Glory will end the regular season in the top six and make a nuisance of themselves come finals time.

Harold’s sudden lethal finishing in front of goal has grabbed the headlines, with the 23-year-old thriving alongside Andy Keogh and Diego Castro.

Keogh has also notched two goals in three weeks, while Castro (nine goals) remains the Glory’s most prolific forward in Season 2015/16.

Brisbane’s main man up front – Jamie Maclaren – was again on the scoresheet last week, notching the opening goal versus Newcastle to take his season tally to 11.

But Maclaren may find it tough going against Perth’s new central defensive pairing of Shane Lowry and Alex Grant, who have not tasted defeat in their three games together while impressing all and sundry with their no-nonsense defensive approach. 

WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?

Dimi and Kosta Petratos. The pair are set to become the 10th set of brothers to play against each other in A-League history. Dimi has been integral to the Roar this season, while Kosta is finding his feet with Perth.

Glory or Roar? The Petratos family dilemma

FORM LINES

Perth Glory: DWWWW

Brisbane Roar: LLWWD

PREDICTION

Perth Glory 2-1 Brisbane Roar