Matchweek 1 preview: Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC

Sydney FC will aim to bounce back from Grand Final heartache by making a statement in the home of local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers in a rearranged match at Bankwest Stadium on Wednesday.

Ante Juric’s Sky Blues were edged 1-0 by champions Melbourne City in the big dance and the likes of captain Teresa Polias, Ellie Brush and joint Golden Boot winner Remy Siemsen will be keen to banish memories of that painful defeat nine months ago.

The fact that Cortnee Vine, Jada Whyman and Rachel Lowe have switched from the red and black of Wanderers to the blue of the Harbour City adds an extra edge, while Western Sydney coach Dean Heffernan will be desperate to build on the club’s all-time best Westfield W-League campaign last time out.

Wanderers’ last match was a 5-1 Semi-Final loss to City in their first ever Finals Series outing, but a much-changed Western Sydney in 2020/21 will aim to evoke the passion showed in the 5-0 hammering of Sydney FC last season that announced themselves as genuine finals contenders.

The Sky Blues did respond to that humbling loss with a 3-0 win over Wanderers in the return match, and Sydney will be determined to tighten their grip on local bragging rights as they launch their quest for a record-equalling third Westfield W-League Premiership title.

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