The scars of another Sydney Derby loss may still be healing for Sydney FC – so can Big Blue rivals Melbourne Victory inflict even more damage or will the wounded animal fight back?
Steve Corica’s charges may still be 10 points clear at the summit of the Hyundai A-League but the pressure will be on to show their slip against the Red and Black side of the Harbour City was a mere bump on their road to capturing the Premiers’ Plate.
Recent Big Blue history is very much in Sydney’s favour, as the Sky Blues have run up a stretch of four-straight triumphs and have clinched maximum points on their last two trips to Marvel Stadium.
Corica’s side go in search of three straight wins at the venue for the first time in the fixture’s history, but expect Carlos Salvachua’s outfit to be buoyed from their last-minute winner against Adelaide which sealed the Spaniard’s first league win in the Victory dugout.
Though their away form has been patchy, the ‘Big V’ have only lost one of their last six Hyundai A-League home matches – although that was a 3-0 reverse against the reigning Champions back in January.
If the Navy Blue do get ahead, do not assume it is game over. Victory have dropped more points from winning positions, 14, than any other Hyundai A-League team this season, while Sydney have only dropped two points after going in front.
PREVIEW: Victory v Sydney FC
HOW TO WATCH: Every Hyundai A-League match in Round 22
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Berisha versus Jakobsen could decide United’s first trip to SA
History will be made as Western United FC travel to South Australia for the first time on Saturday and the stats suggest the clash between two key players could prove decisive.
Besart Berisha has scored eight goals in his last eight matches against Adelaide United and 19 in total – Central Coast Mariners are the only club the Hyundai A-League’s top scorer has netted more against (20).
Aiming to halt him in his tracks is giant Reds stopper Michael Jakobsen, who has blocked more shots (27) and made more clearances (94) than any other player in the competition in 2019/20.
Gertjan Verbeek’s side had the edge over Mark Rudan’s newcomers in their only other clash, a 4-3 win, and the Reds have claimed victory in their last six games at Coopers Stadium against Victorian opponents.
PREVIEW: Adelaide United v Western United
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6126608040001
Roar seek strong start to dent Wanderers’ momentum
Robbie Fowler’s Brisbane Roar may have built a reputation for scoring late goals but it’s their first-half stubbornness that Western Sydney may need to overcome on Friday.
The Queenslanders have only trailed at half-time once in their last nine Hyundai A-League matches – and they have only lost twice in that spell, which has seen them rise into the Finals Series positions.
Wanderers have three wins and a draw in the four matches played since Jean-Paul de Marigny took over as interim coach and have climbed to eighth place, only two points behind the Roar, so a win would see the visitors overtake the home side.
Were Western Sydney to win or draw, that five-match unbeaten run would be their longest since they went six-matches without a loss at the start of the 2017/18 Season around two-and-a-half years ago.
PREVIEW: Roar v Wanderers
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6119102241001
Phoenix’s rise set to continue against leaky Mariners
There are few teams with a wider disparity in the form guide than Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners in 2019/20.
The Kiwi club have beaten the Mariners four times in a row and the last time the two clubs met in Gosford, Wellington astonishingly ran out 8-2 winners.
Ufuk Talay’s team have lost only two of their last 14 Hyundai A-League fixtures – although those two losses have come on their last two road trips, which could give Alen Stajcic’s side a glimmer of hope of breaking their run of seven straight losses.
The Mariners have the worst defensive record this season, conceding 43 in 19 games, they have scored more own goals than any other team in 2019/20, four, and they have only netted four goals in four home games in the calendar year – three of them penalties scored by Matt Simon.
PREVIEW: Mariners v Phoenix
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6119651334001
Glory face back-to-back losses as race for second hots up
While Sydney FC may still be visible in the distance, the chase for second is very much on as Melbourne City and Perth Glory meet on Sunday in WA.
Erick Mombaerts’ men hold a three point advantage over Glory with an inferior goal difference, so a win for Tony Popovic’s third-placed side would see the Premiers propel up to second.
City may think themselves fortunate to still be second after gathering only four wins in their last 10 matches, but Glory had a wobble of their own last week when they lost their first match in 10 against the lowly Newcastle Jets.
All the numbers are tilting the home side’s favour – Glory having won nine of their last 11 against City at HBF Park – but were the hosts to slip up, it would be the first time they had lost back-to-back games in 54 matches.
PREVIEW: Glory v City
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6126476714001