Wanderers defender Scott Jamieson has identified the form of Eugene Galekovic as underpinning the Reds’ revival this season as Western Sydney prepare to host Adelaide on Saturday night.
The sides sit second and third respectively on the ladder going into the clash.
United’s unbeaten run came to an end against City, while the Wanderers shaded the Jets on Sunday.
Hyundai A-League fixture run-in and predictions
Jamieson, 27, is known to like a bit of niggle – as could be seen with his verbal exchanges with Newcastle boss Scott Miller last weekend.
And he feels unsettling Adelaide’s skipper could be the key to grabbing the three points.
“They started the season pretty poor and they somehow turned it around. Defensively they’re very good now which wasn’t the case at the start [of the season],” Jamieson told reporters on Tuesday.
“Full credit to them and I think a lot of that comes down to their goalkeeper who for me is so influential in their team, so if we can rattle him I think we’ll go a long away.
“We have to expect that they’re going to come here on top of their game and will be as clinical as they’ve been all season.”
Having dropped points to Wellington, Sydney FC and Brisbane in the last month, the Wanderers renewed their tilt for a second premiership with their win at Hunter Stadium.
“With the results that happened before us it was important that we got the result but it was a good defensive performance in the sense of a clean sheet which we haven’t had in a while,” said Jamieson.
“They kept coming for us and we held them out, so [it was] pleasing in that sense.”
This weekend’s clash now looms as critical in the finals make-up, with the Wanderers unbeaten at home against an Adelaide buoyed by five straight on the road.
“With four games to go now points are the most important thing. So we’re very pleased and we go again this week,” added Jamieson.
“Hopefully it’s a massive turn out because this game is a pretty big game in the context of the league.”
