Brisbane Roar returned from Wellington after a gritty win over Phoenix last week, but face another difficult task against a Wanderers outfit buzzing from their best performance of the season.
MATCH DETAILS
Saturday, 28 January 2017
Brisbane Roar FC v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 6:50PM (Local) (7:50PM (AEDT))
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Nathan MacDonald
Assistant Referee 2: Anton Shchetinin
Fourth Official: Alex King
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 7.45pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: ABC Grandstand Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live, Hawkesbury Radio
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #BRIvWSW
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Michael THEO (gk), 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Brett HOLMAN, 11.Tommy OAR, 13.Jade NORTH, 15.ARANA, 17. Matt MCKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 33.Joey KATEBIAN
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 10.Brett HOLMAN (returns from injury) 22.Thomas BROICH (promoted), 33.Joey KATEBIAN (promoted)
Outs: 5.Corey BROWN (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 3.Jack CLISBY, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 7.Steven LUSTICA, 8.DIMAS (c), 10.Nicolás MARTÍNEZ, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Bruno PIÑATARES, 14.Jumpei KUSUKAMI, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 23.Lachlan SCOTT, 24.Terry ANTONIS
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 7.Steven LUSTICA (promoted), 13.Bruno PIÑATARES (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 17.Aritz BORDA (suspended – 1 match)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Three games, two competitions, one week.
That’s what’s ahead for Roar at Suncorp who face Wanderers on Saturday in the Hyundai A-League, Philippines outfit Global on Tuesday night in an Asian Champions League qualifier before returning to domestic action against Sydney FC next Friday.
While far from a vintage display in Wellington, Brisbane snapped a three-game losing run with a gutsy 1-0 win over the Phoenix last weekend.
But despite their recent patchy form, Brisbane remain inside the top four and could move above City into third with a win should results go their way.
And after three away trips over the past month, a return to Suncorp Stadium should provide the Roar with a real boost.
The Queenslanders will also be bolstered by their fantastic record at home against the Wanderers, having won four of the past six matches (W4, D1, L1) against Tony Popovic’s side.
Meanwhile, Western Sydney snapped their own six-match winless run with a dominant 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday.
In their most fluent and efficient performance of the season, Wanderers completely outclassed the Jets and appear to be finally reaping the rewards from their positive performances.
Tony Popovic’s side have shown glimpses of their best throughout the season but a lack of cutting edge in the final third has proved costly having recorded nine draws in 16 matches to date.
Youngster Lachlan Scott netted his first Hyundai A-League goal last weekend, while the return from suspension last week of Brendon Santalab is a huge boost, but Scott admitted post-match the club needs to bring in an experienced striker to boost their attacking options.
With the Wanderers on the precipice of the top six (7th on goal difference) and just six points behind fourth-placed Roar, this clash looms as a six-pointer for the Red and Black as they push for a home final.
OPTA DATA
- Brisbane Roar will be out to avoid back-to-back losses on home soil for the first time since a brace of defeats to Melbourne Victory in April 2015.
- Western Sydney Wanderers boast a shooting accuracy of 50.3%, the second-best of any team in the competition and one of only two teams to find the target more than 50% of the time.
Hyundai A-League Round 17 stats preview
ROUTE TO GOAL
Brisbane created plenty of chances in Wellington last week but it took a sloppy error from Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante in the late stages to gift Jamie Maclaren the winner.
Maclaren – who was again forced to start from the bench for the second straight game – proved why he’s the Roar’s most potent attacking weapon with an energetic display.
The 22-year-old remains the club’s leading scorer (8 goals) and besides defensive midfielder Thomas Kristensen (4 goals), is the only attacking outlet to have netted more than twice.
Spaniard Manuel Arana has started up top in recent weeks but is better suited in wide areas and looks likely to drop back to the bench.
In positive news, former Socceroo Brett Holman has been named to return and could feature after more than two months out through a knee injury.
For the Wanderers, 19-year-old Lachlan Scott has led the line admirably in the past two games and could well keep his spot after netting against the Jets.
Veteran Brendon Santalab (6 goals) is another option for Tony Popovic in the front third but the 34-year-old has just 20 minutes of football under his belt over the past month following a suspension (ironically at Suncorp).
Nico Martinez and Mitch Nichols have been instrumental in much of Western Sydney’s attacking output in recent weeks and will again be the key to unlocking Brisbane’s defence.
Youngster Jaushua Sotirio has netted twice in the Wanderers’ past three games and looks to be benefitting from a consistent run of games as a starter.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Dimitri Petratos. The Brisbane Roar attacker has signed a three-year deal with Newcastle Jets from the 2017/18 season. His younger brother Kosta has also signed with Newcastle for next season after two seasons with Perth Glory.
