Sydney FC will be out to secure a fourth consecutive win over Brisbane Roar on Monday night and turn their lacklustre run of form around before the Hyundai A-League Finals Series begins.
The Sky Blues are winless in three games (L2, D1); the last time they endured a longer winless stretch was an 11-game stretch between January and April of 2016 (L7, D4) in what was the club’s worst ever run of form.
But Steve Corica’s side won’t be overly concerned with their dip in form since the Hyundai A-League restart.
Their nine-point lead atop of the Hyundai A-League table puts them head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, as the Premiers Plate – which they won with four games to spare – gives the Sky Blues vindication for what’s been a stellar 2019/20 campaign.
With two games to play before the conclusion of the regular season, Sydney could turn their three-game winless run into a minor blip on an otherwise smooth journey to the Finals Series with a win over the Roar when the two sides meet at McDonald Jones Stadium on Monday night.
The Premiers would extend their winning streak over Brisbane to four games should they secure all three points – a feat neither side has managed throughout Hyundai A-League history.
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But Warren Joyce’s Roar are an inspired outfit of late.
Brisbane haven’t conceded more than one goal in any Hyundai A-League fixture since Round 14 (a 2-2 draw with Melbourne City). They’ve leaked just eight goals in the 13 games since, winning eight, drawing twice and losing three times.
If Brisbane can collect all three points against the Sky Blues, they would not only increase their opponent’s form slump, but strengthen their own case for a top-two finish. Three points for Roar would continue to heap pressure on Wellington Phoenix, who sit third in the Hyundai A-League table.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128574331001
Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
Monday, August 10 2020
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 507
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
HOW TO WATCH: Upcoming matches in the Hyundai A-League
First half proving decisive when Reds are involved
Adelaide United’s biggest test of the season comes in their final fixture of the campaign when they face second-placed Melbourne City with a win imperative to keeping their Finals Series dreams alive.
Currently in sixth place but with Western United breathing down their necks, Carl Veart’s side will be hoping their strong form since the restart will carry them to a vital win over title challengers City when the two sides meet at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Reds are currently on a six-game run where the half-time result has reflected which side took the points at full time – they’ve lost twice, drawn twice and won twice in this period.
City, however, are going about their business in a different manner, preferring to leave it late to make an impact. Erick Mombaerts’ side have won four of their last six Hyundai A-League contests (D1, L1), despite being kept goalless in the first halves of three of those games on the day.
The differences in the form and game-day approach of these sides should add to the entertainment of a clash between two teams who have shown a hunger to strike throughout the 2019/20 campaign.
Adelaide are the first team in the league to reach 400+ shots for the season (413), but they’re not the most accurate of all comers. That title belongs to City, who have struck 137 of their 378 shots on target.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128845234001
Melbourne City v Adelaide United
Tuesday, August 11 2020
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 507
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports