Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking their first-ever Sydney Derby win in front of their own fans when they host Sydney FC at Pirtek Stadium. Join us for live scores from 7.45pm AEDT.
Rival coaches Tony Popovic and Frank Farina face contrasting selection posers for Saturday’s A-League Sydney derby clash.
Popovic’s Wanderers head into the Parramatta Stadium clash in second spot, while Farina’s Sydney FC are one of several clubs in mid-table separated by just a handful of points.
Popovic has the luxury of having all his key players available and must work out who to leave out.
“It makes selection more difficult, but it’s a good headache to have,” Popovic said.
“In a derby anything can happen on the day. I expect it to be a real passionate affair.
Farina is forced into several changes.
Striker Richard Garcia is the latest addition to a Sydney FC injury list already including Joel Chianese, Rhyan Grant, Peter Triantis and Terry Antonis.
Farina will also be without suspended duo Nick Carle and Tiago Calvano, while emerging youngster Hagi Gligor is on international duty.
However he does get back defender Seb Ryall from injury and has the option of promoting some proven veterans into his starting side.
“Fortunately we’ve got the likes of Terry (McFlynn), Brett (Emerton) and Matt Thompson didn’t start last week, we have options,” Farina said.
“It’s still not nice when you lose three or four players from the previous week.
“I think we’ve got the depth that we can cover them.”
Popovic wasn’t fussed that ladder-leaders Brisbane had opened up a seven-point gap over his club in the race for the Premier’s Plate, which his team won last season.
“Roar is doing great and credit to them, but our focus is just on doing what we’re doing,” said Popovic, who was again forced to deny playmaker Shinji Ono had signed for a Japanese club.
Farina anticipated a strong response from the Wanderers following their shock 3-1 home loss to Wellington on New Year’s Day.
“They’re a very dangerous team at home. It’s going to be tough,” Farina said.
Oddly, the home club has never won any of the four previous Sydney derbies.
But Sydney have won just one of their last 15 away games – their only victory on the road coming against last-placed Melbourne Heart.
“This season has been a mixed bowl if you like, Certainly it’s something we’d like to improve on,” Farina said.
– With AAP
Matty C
Guest
And miss out on the extra income that having an extra few thousand members would bring? By capping the membership at around 70% of the total capacity it will make an impression on the state gov - who are looking at developing a stadium out west similar to Allianz in order to phase out suburban stadiums - that Pirtek Stadium is the best candidate for funding. Already it looks like there will be an extra 4000 temp seats going in at the south terrace for the start of next season and they are currently trialling proper 'terrace' type seating in the RBB area - that is benches not seats - in order to increase the capacity in the north terrace..
langou
Roar Guru
I don't think Sydney will be too disappointed. The last couple of weeks they have started to look allot better as a defensive unit. Not so many clangers down back which has been their nemesis for a couple of seasons now
AZ_RBB
Guest
and we will continue to do so!. rival fans should focus on the problems at their own club before commenting about our style, fans, stadium etc.
leon
Guest
To think, I did all that, And may I say, Not in a shy way, Oh no, Oh no, not me, I did it, myyyyy wayyyy.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Well, what a night. It ended up being one of those games where thanks to a late goal you easily forgive and forget some of the terrible rubbish dished out earlier in the game. Although it was first derby in a while that wasn't just a litany of ridiculous tackles, scrappy play and the odd goal. First half both teams were more than decent. SFC passed it around much more competently than usual and WSW defended very well. Mooy and Bridge were both pretty appalling. SFC seemed to dominate the middle of the field but lacked the finish. Second half thankfully saw some energy as a sulky Juric was taken off and Mooy finally remembered how to pass. Ono and Hersi were running themselves silly, particularly Ono who seemed to be covering for the laziness of Mooy and Trifiro. Bridge continued to remind me why I prefer Minniecon. SFC seemed a lot more likely to score. But as it were, the super fit WSW team prevailed once more. Spira, Topor, Ono and Hersi were all immense. Santalab looked very dangerous. Hats off to 16yr old Daniel Alessi who did an incredible job at right back, not even a hint of nerves. We go into Tuesday's blockbuster in Melbourne with our heads held high. Will be surprised if Ono and Hersi play on Tuesday. They both looked completely spent.
Allan
Guest
WSW should have capped memberships at a lower number, every match Wanderland would be full. There were thousands who wanted to be there tonight but couldn't, the last derby is an accurate representation of how popular this is.
Matty C
Guest
Southern Terrace is General Admission. When you buy a corporate membership you get a certain amount of GA tickets which are located on the South Terrace. Depending on your level of sponsorship will determine how many tickets you get - could be as little as 10 or as many as 200. You can choose which game you want to use those tickets for, so at any given time the club needs to ensure that there is enough spare seats just incase every single ticket is used on the same day. Once that ticket is used the seat becomes "unreserved" and is available for public sale. By the looks of things not all those people used their tickets. It was about 80% full tonight so hopefully there will be more seats available for GA for future games..
Robbie Mase
Guest
Western Sydney play terrible football. This isn't exactly news to anyone
Stevo
Guest
18,080
Johnno
Guest
crowd numbers anyone is it a sell out
Stevo
Guest
WSW rotation policy on full display tonight.
1860melbourne
Guest
fc in control
Titus
Guest
Going for style points...tut tut.
1860melbourne
Guest
If Hersi keeps attacking Warren Wanderers will score.
Stevo
Guest
LOL, Juric hits the cross bar from point blank range. How about just tapping it in gently son? Smurfs holding their own - who would have thought that!
The Auteur
Guest
There are still empty seats?! Whoever bought a membership and doesn't show up even for the SYDNEY DERBY should have their membership stripped off them so it can be given to someone deserving.
Stevo
Guest
Maybe that says something about the other teams and their coaches?
Clayts
Guest
Ps. I know people disagree with me, but WSW just don't look like a side that deserves second spot. They don't really seem to do anything. And haven't done for a while now..
Stevo
Guest
Nice to see ADP putting on a clinic for NTP and his fellow mugs :)
Clayts
Guest
So are we running with the same excuse as usual for so many spare seats at the southern (non RBB) end? If those Wanderers 'fans' don't turn up to this game, which games do they actually go to?