Revenge isn’t the motivating factor for Sydney FC in Saturday night’s Derby against Western Sydney Wanderers, with Sky Blues skipper Alex Wilkinson desperate to take another step towards the Premiership.
The Sky Blues are just three wins away from getting their hands on the Premiers’ Plate heading into the third Sydney Derby of the campaign this weekend at Bankwest Stadium.
It’s been another record-breaking campaign so far from Sydney FC but there is one club they have yet to beat in 2019/20.
And that opponent just happens to be their fiercest rival and crosstown combatants in the Wanderers.
“We’ve only lost two games this year and they just happen to be both against the Wanderers which is definitely not ideal,” Wilkinson told Sydney FC’s official website.
MATCH PREVIEW: Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC
HOW TO WATCH: Every Hyundai A-League match in Round 24
“One way to look at it is revenge, and the other way is a win gets us one step closer to the Premiership.
“That’s what we want to do at the moment, we just want to wrap that Premiership up as soon as possible and secure the trophy.
“For us we’ve got our internal goals and goals we set at the start of the season. One of them is to win the Premiership and we’re very close at the moment.
“If we can get a win against the Wanderers then whatever happens next we’ll be that much closer to achieving one of our goals.”
Despite sitting seven places and 22 points ahead of the Wanderers, the Sky Blues have found it difficult to break down Jean-Paul de Marigny’s side.
Wanderers skipper Mitch Duke has been the thorn in their side in both encounters, scoring the winning goal, Sydney FC’s much-vaunted attack drawing a blank over 180 minutes of play.
“In the first two games we had a lot of possession in both games, it’s just a matter of making that possession effective in the final third,” Wilkinson said.
“In both games we had chances, in the last game we could have created a little bit more, so in terms of doing things different it’s just being a little bit more clinical in the front third and also moving the ball a bit quicker, moving them around trying to create space.
“It’s just one of those times both times that the ball didn’t go in for us.
“We haven’t had too many games where we’ve been kept scoreless and hopefully that changes this weekend.”
Always one of the hottest tickets in town, Saturday night’s derby will be played behind closed doors due to COVID-19 crisis engulfing the world.
“You really enjoy playing in front of crowds and take it for granted. The derby games, these games are built around the atmosphere and passion from both sides, it’s going to be a little different playing behind closed doors,” Wilkinson admitted.
“It is what it is, we’re doing it for a reason to keep us safe and healthy, we get on with it.
“We’ve got enough motivation within the squad to push us forward and get the right result on the weekend.”
ANNOUNCEMENT: FFA’s COVID-19 guidelines for football
CONFIRMED: Phoenix heading to Sydney to continue Hyundai A-League Finals Series push
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098014868001
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Saturday, 21 March
Bankwest Stadium
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
