It is an exhausting week to be a Western Sydney Wanderers player, as the club is scheduled to play an absurd two matches in 48 hours thanks to its Asian Champions League and Club World Cup commitments.
The Wanderers pocketed a rare three points against Melbourne City on a stormy Wednesday night and will be hoping they can secure their first consecutive win of the season against title favourites Melbourne Victory. After a series of injuries to key players including Brendon Santalab, Shannon Cole, Brendan Hamill, Mark Bridge and Mateo Poljak, expect Tony Popovic to rotate his squad heavily and blood some younger players for the clash against Victory.
Western Sydney’s horrendous schedule is great news for Melbourne Victory, who is only three points behind league leaders Perth Glory and still in the hunt for the A-League premiership. The Melbourne club’s form has drifted in recent weeks, only able to secure one win in five games. Kevin Muscat and his team will still be stinging from a 1-1 draw from Perth Glory at home last week, particularly after a controversial Andy Keogh goal was awarded to the visiting side; the Irishman appeared to have been in an offside position on replay. The quality of Melbourne Victory’s personnel means anything less than a victory would be unacceptable against the ailing Wanderers.
Key Battle – Besart Berisha vs Ante Covic
The rivalry between this pair started all the way back in Season Eight of the A-League, when the Wanderers came away from Suncorp Stadium with a 2-1 win against Berisha’s former club Brisbane Roar. A rather amusing confrontation broke out between the two players at full time, with Covic blowing the fiery Berisha some ironic kisses.
The Albanian striker has netted nine goals for his new club this season, but has gone almost a month without finding the back of the net. Berisha will be itching to get on the scoresheet, and what better time to start than against one of the A-League’s shakiest defences? The love-hate relationship is all set to continue when Berisha takes to the field tomorrow night, and Covic returns to goalkeeping duties after being benched in the Wanderers’ past two fixtures.
Team News
Making headlines on Wednesday night was the news that Wanderers striker Kerem Bulut has been charged with intimidation by police after an altercation at a McDonald’s restaurant. According to reports, Bulut will be available for selection for the match against Victory, but it remains to be seen whether he will get the nod from his club or Tony Popovic. Matthew Spiranovic will likely resume in central defence at the expense of youngster Jonathan Aspropotamitis. Veteran goalkeeper Covic should return between the goalposts after a two-game absence. Popovic may opt to field some youth in the starting eleven in a bid to rest players for next week’s midweek Asian Champions League match.
Western Sydney Wanderers Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Covic (GK); Alessi, Spiranovic, Topor-Stanley, Gallaway; La Rocca, Baccus; Takahagi, Castelen, Sotiro; Bulut.
Jason Geria and Kosta Barbarouses are set to miss the clash against the Wanderers and will remain in Melbourne. Muscat may consider Leigh Broxham or Scott Galloway as replacements on the right side of defence. The blistering right-winger Kosta Barbarouses will be a huge loss for the Melbourne outfit, but could give veteran Archie Thompson a chance to regain a spot in the starting lineup.
Melbourne Victory Expected XI: Coe (GK); Galloway, Delpierre, Ansell, Georgievski; Milligan, Valeri; Finkler, Thompson, Khalfallah; Berisha.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have played each other eight times. Melbourne Victory has the edge over the Western Sydney Wanderers, winning on four occasions in this fixture. There has only been one clash between the two A-League clubs which has eventuated in a draw.
Last Meeting
The Western Sydney Wanderers hosted Melbourne Victory at Pirtek Stadium shortly after the turn of the New Year. The first half was a one-sided affair, with the visitors applying early pressure on the Western Sydney backline. Midfield stalwart Carl Valeri put Victory 1-0 up after a spectacular half-volley but the Wanderers wrestled back the ascendancy after the half time break, and equalised via a long-range strike by debutant Nick Kalmar. However, as has been the tale of the Wanderers’ season, the game was decided by a defensive error, which Finkler gladly pounced on to win the match 2-1 for Melbourne.
Prediction
This could prove a highly entertaining match, with both teams fighting for a result for different reasons. Victory are keen to keep pace in the race for the premiership title, and Western Sydney is desperate to keep itself off the bottom of the table and away from wooden spoon contention. Additionally, it would not be remiss to expect a plethora of goals in this one. The Wanderers have finally found their attacking groove, and have scored eight goals in their last three home matches. As always, Victory’s attacking firepower will put them in a good position to get a few on the scoresheet in Parramatta.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 Melbourne Victory 3
source:outside90.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 