It’s Derby Day in Sydney so bring it on! A sellout crowd, banter in the media, two clubs fixated on being the Harbour City’s top dogs. This fixture never fails to disappoint and Saturday night won’t be any different.
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MATCH DETAILS
Saturday, 24 October 2015
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 7:30 PM (Local) (7:30 PM (AEDT))
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 702 ABC Sydney, 666 Canberra & ABC Local Radio NSW, Grandstand Digital & Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #SydneyDerby
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Sydney FC: 1.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 2.Seb RYALL, 3.Alex GERSBACH, 5.Matt JURMAN, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Christopher NAUMOFF, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 18.Matt SIMON, 19.Jacques FATY, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21.Filip HOLOSKO, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 24.George BLACKWOOD, 27.Mickael TAVARES.
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 7.Andrew HOOLE (return from suspension) 21.Filip HOLOSKO (return from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 22.Ali ABBAS (Knee – indefinite)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1.Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 3.Scott JAMIESON, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 7.Romeo CASTELEN, 8.DIMAS, 9.Federico PIOVACCARI, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.ALBERTO, 18.ANDREU, 20.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 21.Jacob PEPPER, 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 33.Josh MACDONALD
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 17.ALBERTO (promoted), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS (promoted)
Outs: nil
Unavailable: 2.Shannon COLE (groin – 1 week)
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant Referee 1: Ashley Beecham
Assistant Referee 2: Owen Goldrick
Fourth Official: Luke Withell
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
How massive has the fixture become in just three seasons?
A sell-out crowd will light up Allianz Stadium to see these two sides of Sydney in what should be a pulsating clash.
Don’t worry about the fact the Sky Blues have made the far stronger start to the season than the Wanderers, the result of this one could go either way.
Graham Arnold’s troops have yet to find their mojo, doing just enough over the first two rounds to pick up a draw and a win.
They have been solid with the ball, but lacking the polish to turn possession into consistent chances in front of goal. The return of marquee man Filip Holosko should help that.
The Wanderers may only be on one point from their two matches but have been one of the best sides to watch in the first fortnight.
You can see Tony Popovic’s concerted plan to change the side’s playing style is slowly coming to fruition and you get the feeling when it all clicks they will really punish an opponent.
Will it happen against their fierce rivals? Can’t wait to find out.
OPTA DATA
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 WSW has only managed one victory in their last 15 Hyundai A-League away matches including Finals (D2 L12), conceding 27 goals.
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Sydney FC has failed to score in five of their last nine home matches in the Hyundai A-League, However, they did score 13 goals in the four games they did score.
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Andreu made his first ever start in the Hyundai A-League for the Wanderers in the last match-day when he scored an own goal and scored the equaliser seven minutes from the end against Adelaide.
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There have been two red cards in the last three Sydney derbies in the Hyundai A-League.
Sydney FC enjoyed a stack of possession against Newcastle but didn’t really create a great deal of clear-cut chances. It was ultimately a set-piece which won it for them. But play-maker Milos Ninkovic is looking more and more comfortable with every outing while the expected return of marquee man Holosko from a hamstring strain is a boost.
The Wanderers have attempted the second most shots in the Hyundai A-League, with Romeo Castelen their main threat with a league high seven efforts on goal.
But accuracy and composure has been a huge problem. If they can start converting just some of those chances then the Sky Blues could be in trouble. Striker Federico Piovaccari hasn’t had a sniff yet, look for him to have a big game.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold taunted Wanderers on Thursday. You gotta love Arnie’s banter.
Arnie taunts ‘little’ Wanderers ahead of Sydney Derby
FORM LINES
Sydney FC: DW
Wanderers: LD
PREDICTION
Sydney FC 2-2 Western Sydney Wanderers
