Following last weekend’s typically dramatic Hyundai A-League Sydney derby, comes the latest edition of the Westfield W-League equivalent as Western Sydney Wanderers host Sydney FC.
Viewers of Fox Sports and ABC TV will be the winners as the pair do battle at Pirtek Stadium in Sydney’s west, as part of an Hyundai A-League double-header on Sunday afternoon.
Sydney normally start as warm favourites given the pedigree of their roster and strong history in the competition. Yet it is the Wanderers who are ahead of on the ladder after their 2-2 opener at Adelaide, which was followed by a luckless 3-0 home defeat against Brisbane Roar.
The Sky Blues, for their part, prop up the standings having opened with a barely conceivable 6-0 loss against championship aspirants Melbourne City. And their hopes of an immediate rebound were dashed with a 3-0 loss at Canberra United.
Not to mention the last time these two met, the Wanderers secured a storied and unexpected 2-1 win, for their only victory in six attempts against their local rivals.
The major positive for Sydney FC is the return of their national team personnel – Kyah Simon, Alanna Kennedy and Amy Harrison – all of whom are, funnily enough, western Sydney products.
Adding yet another layer to an already intriguing contest is the personal friendships across the squads, with many of the players having come through the NSW development system together.
Watch all the action Live from 2.00pm nationally on Fox Sports (Channel 505), or ABC TV. Or catch-up on ABC iView.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Sunday 1 November 2015
Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Local kick-off: 2pm
(Hyundai A-League double-header)