Match preview: Perth Glory v Sydney FC

Sydney FC travel to HBF Park for the second time in less than a month as they take on Perth Glory in a crucial Hyundai A-League blockbuster.

Steve Corica’s side are sitting pretty in third spot on the ladder buoyed by four wins on the trot against Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners respectively.

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Adam Le Fondre became the fastest player to reach 10 goals in the Hyundai A-League with his goal against the Mariners on Friday night, and is supported by Sydney’s all-star cast which is looking stronger by the minute as key figures return and stocks are bolstered.

Glory maintained their three-point lead at the top of the table with their impressive 4-2 win over a 10-man Brisbane Roar on Sunday, despite trailing 2-0 at the break.

But Popovic’s side experienced their first and only loss of the 2018/19 Season against the Sky Blues back in Round 9, when goals to Le Fondre and Daniel De Silva saw Sydney come away from the west with a 2-1 victory.

Perth are without Chris Ikonomidis, who is missing due to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™, but will have to manage their squad with a busy Summer of Heroes schedule ahead.

This top of the table clash may go a long way in deciding who holds the Premiers’ Plate come the end of the season.

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Key Opta stats

Sydney FC have won their last nine games in succession against Perth Glory; only once in Hyundai A-League history has any team won more consecutive games against a single opponent (Melbourne Victory – 10 wins v Adelaide United from 2008 to 2010).
Perth Glory have lost their last four games played on a weekday at home, with two of those defeats coming at the hands of Sydney FC.
The Sky Blues have won three games this Hyundai A-League season after conceding the opening goal on the day, more than any other team in the competition.

Ins and outs

Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 27.JUANDE, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 13.Matt SPIRANOVIC (promoted), 16.Tomislav MRCELA (promoted), 27.JUANDE (promoted)

Outs: 15.Brandon WILSON (not selected)

Unavailable: 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS (international duty)

Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Aaron CALVER, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11. Daniel DE SILVA, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 17. Anthony CACERES, 18.Jacob TRATT, 20.Alex CISAK (gk), 21.Charles LOKOLI-NGOY, 22.Siem DE JONG, 24.Cam DEVLIN, 31.Luke IVANOVIC.

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 11.Daniel DE SILVA (return from non-selection due to Mariners loan agreement), 21.Charles LOKOLI-NGOY (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 3.Ben WARLAND (foot – 1 weeks), 5.Jop van der LINDEN (hamstring – 2 weeks), 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (ACL – indefinite), 19.Chris ZUVELA (knee – indefinite), 23. Rhyan GRANT (International Duty)