It is a tale of two cities in Saturday’s free-to-air Hyundai A-League clash when Western Sydney Wanderers welcome Melbourne City to ANZ Stadium (kick off 7.50pm AEDT).
Hosts Western Sydney had assembled a four-game unbeaten streak before Round 22’s 3-1 loss away to Wellington Phoenix, which brought them back down to earth and all but killed off their already slim finals chances.
They will come up against a City side with renewed confidence after pulling off an upset 2-0 win against Sydney FC Leichhardt Oval in Round 22.
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That result saw City shore up their position in the top six having endured a six-match winless streak beginning with a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over the Wanderers in January.
City had the ball in the back of the net within the first minute through Ritchie De Laet on that memorable evening and both teams were locked up at 3-3 before Bart Schenkeveld’s stoppage-time winner.
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The Wanderers will be hoping they don’t switch off at ANZ Stadium as they have a tendency to open the floodgates defensively, conceding 46 goals so far this season.
City meanwhile have the finals in their sights but must build momentum if they are to make an impact at the business end of the campaign.
Key Opta stats
- Western Sydney Wanderers have lost just one of their last 10 Hyundai A-League games at home against Melbourne City (W6, D3), although Warren Joyce’s men have won the last three on the bounce at all venues.
- No side has scored more Hyundai A-League goals from outside the box this season than the eight recorded by the Wanderers. City are only one behind on seven however.
- City boasts a passing accuracy of 80% this campaign, the highest of any team in the Hyundai A-League.
Ins and outs
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 3.Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 9.Oriol RIERA, 10.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 12.Mitchell DUKE, 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.Keanu BACCUS, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Rashid MAHAZI, 27.Kwame YEBOAH, 28.Roly BONEVACIA, 33.Tate RUSSELL, 40.Nicholas SUMAN (GK), 49.Abraham MAJOK **two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS (returns from international duty), 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO (returns from injury), 17.Keanu BACCUS (returns from international duty), 19.Mark BRIDGE (returns from injury), 49.Abraham MAJOK (returns from international duty)
Outs: 24.Raul LLORENTE (not selected), 42.Andrea AGAMEMNONOS (not selected), 43.Daniel WILMERING (not selected)
Unavailable: Nil
Melbourne City squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI, 2.Ritchie DE LAET, 4.Harrison DELBRIDGE, 5.Bart SCHENKEVELD, 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 8.Riley McGREE, 9.Shayon HARRISON, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 18.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 19.Lachlan WALES, 22.Curtis GOOD, 25.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 26.Luke BRATTAN, 27.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER, 29.Jamie MACLAREN, 34.Connor METCALFE **two to be omitted**
Ins: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (returns from illness), 8.Riley MCGREE (returns from international duty), 10.Dario VIDOSIC (promoted), 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON (returns from international duty), 19.Lachlan WALES (returns from international duty), 27.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER (promoted)
Outs: 3.Scott JAMIESON (toe), 58.Yaya DUKULY (omitted), 21.Ramy NAJJARINE (omitted), 43.James DELIANOV (omitted)
Unavailable: 30.Moudi NAJJAR (ankle)
How to watch
You can catch this game LIVE and FREE on Ten Bold or on FOX SPORTS 505, with kick off at 7.50pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, or by subscribing to Kayo Sports.
Tickets
Secure your seat to this clash of cities here!
