Sydney FC have dominated the derby against Western Sydney Wanderers but the Red and Black will look to draw upon their early success in the fixture when the derby kicks off this Saturday.
Having ended a 980-day wait for a derby win by beating the Sky Blues 1-0 back in October, the Wanderers will attempt to achieve back-to-back wins against their crosstown rivals for just the second time in their history.
The last and only time Western Sydney held bragging rights for two consecutive fixtures was back in 2013/14, when the then Tony Popovic-coached side beat Sydney 2-0 away thanks to goals from Iacopo La Rocca and Shinji Ono in the opening derby of the season.
Popovic’s side then prevailed 1-0 over the Sky Blues in the Parramatta fixture, with Brendon Santalab producing an 86th-minute match winner.
They say the form book goes out of the window on derby day, and won’t the Wanderers want that old adage to ring true? Sydney have won 15 of their last 17 Hyundai A-League fixtures, including their last five in succession.
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Dark horses face off
Both Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix will be looking to bolster their credentials as competition dark horses in Friday night’s encounter in Perth.
Tony Popovic’s reigning Premiers have not lost in any of their last four matches against the Phoenix, averaging three goals scored per game in those wins.
They have also won their last five in a row against the New Zealand outfit at HBF Park, conceding just a single goal in that stretch.
Historically, leaving the WA capital with three points has been a tall order for the Phoenix but Ufuk Talay’s side are certainly no easy-beats this season.
Wellington have only lost one of their last 11 matches (winning seven, drawing three) and they have not trailed at half-time in any match during this period.
Can O’Donovan’s return spark Jets?
Newcastle Jets simply cannot find the back of the net this season but the return of Roy O’Donovan could be the answer to their goal-scoring woes.
O’Donovan resigned with the Hunter Valley club following his exit from Brisbane Roar and arrives just in time to help Newcastle’s mission for local bragging rights in the F3 derby this Sunday.
The Irishman scored a goal every 40 touches when playing for the Jets in the Hyundai A-League, a better goal return than in either of his stints for the Roar or the Central Coast Mariners themselves.
A goal against his former employers from Gosford would ensure Newcastle avoid matching their longest-ever winless run in the Hyundai A-League.
The Jets are currently without victory in their last nine matches – one more would equal their 10-match run from 2016/17.
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Victory can break new ground
Melbourne Victory are attempting to embark on a record unbeaten run in the derby if they can avoid defeat to Melbourne City in Friday’s showdown.
Victory have won one and drawn three of their previous four outings against their neighbours and have never been on a longer unbeaten run against them.
They are also undefeated in their last six matches against City at AAMI Park, winning four and drawing two of those matches.
However, Victory have not won in the competition in any of their last four matches – the last time they endured a longer win-less run was a seven-match span from May 2017 to November 2017.
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Goals on the forecast in Brisbane
There is plenty of evidence to suggest Saturday evening’s contest between Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United will produce plenty of goals and highlights.
Adelaide have won each of their last four Hyundai A-League matches against Brisbane, with an average of five goals scored per game in those fixtures.
Moreover, the Reds have scored seven goals in their last two Hyundai A-League matches.
