We are only one round into the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season but the match of the campaign could be just hours away.
Melbourne City – who have won the last three Westfield W-League Grand Finals, including last year’s against Sydney FC – host the Sky Blues at AAMI Park on Friday afternoon, knowing defeat would put them six points behind a potential challenger in the race for the Premiers’ Plate.
PREVIEW: Melbourne City v Sydney FC
WATCH: Goal of the Round – Chloe Logarzo – Sydney FC
Rado Vidosic’s City squad looks just as strong as last year’s, but they will be smarting from a 2-0 first-up loss at Canberra United.
Sydney FC, on the other hand, enter the clash fresh off a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Westfield W-League heavyweights face off
It is no exaggeration to say that, along with Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City and Sydney FC are the heavyweight clubs of the Westfield W-League.
Most recently, Melbourne City have set the pace, winning three Grand Finals on the trot to make themselves one of the most successful football teams in Australian history.
Sydney FC, on the other hand, began life in the Westfield W-League with consistent silverware as they claimed two Grand Finals and two Premiers’ Plates.
And while the success has dried up in recent years, it is not for a lack of trying.
The Sky Blues lost two of the last three Grand Finals – both to Melbourne City.
GAME DAY | We're back in @WLeague action and it's the first of a double header today as we face City at AAMI Park, 5:20pm! #WatchWithUs LIVE on @FOXFOOTBALL, @SBSVICELAND & the My Football Live App or follow us for updates…#SydneyIsSkyBlue #ComeWithUs #MCYvSYD pic.twitter.com/r98S0uvket
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) November 1, 2018
A field of Westfield Matildas
You could almost make a team out of the amount of Westfield Matildas featuring in this fixture.
Of the squad Alen Stajcic announced on Thursday for the upcoming matches against Chile, a staggering nine of those could feature for this Round 2 clash.
And while it is exciting to see that group play with each other for the national team, it means there is added spice when they clash on opposing sides.
City, the history-makers
Melbourne City: three Grand Final wins, three consecutive seasons.
It is a feat that has not been achieved in Australian football — for either men or women — for almost 40 years, and does not look like being replicated any time soon.
So if City needed a reason to fire up against Sydney FC, history is surely the best motivator.
Of course, missing out on the Premiers’ Plate doesn’t categorically rule them out from making history, as we saw last year, However, City fans will be in for an anxious last few rounds if their team cannot get results on the board soon.
Sky Blues setting the pace early
Contrary to their start last season, Sydney FC have kicked off their 2018/19 Season in good fashion.
Their 3-0 win over the Wanderers was symbolic for a number of reasons, namely that the Sky Blues have hit the ground running and set the pace for everyone to catch.
Should Sydney FC beat City, they will land a psychological blow for the reverse fixture, as well as potential finals clashes.
With so much at stake in just Round 2 of the Westfield W-League, it is safe to say we are in for an entertaining season.
Melbourne City host Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Friday, November 2 — kick-off is at 5:20pm. Click hereto purchase tickets.
