The biggest match of the season thus far takes us out to the west where last season’s Premiers, Western Sydney Wanderers, host the current A-League leaders Brisbane Roar. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.
The result of this fixture could do wonders for both sides but if the Roar leave Western Sydney with all three points, the Premiership will be all theirs to lose.
Mike Mulvey’s men come into this fixture on the back of winning four of their past six fixtures and welcome in new signing Steven Lustica, after he was cleared to move from Adelaide United early in the week.
Their isn’t much team changes for the Roar. Brandon Borello is omitted for the returning Ivan Franjic, while Matt McKay misses out through an ankle injury that will keep him sidelined for one week.
This dominant and fascinating side will be looking to dent further question marks into Western Sydney’s topsy-turvy season.
Poppa’s boys haven’t really decided what sort of team they want to be this season. In the last six fixtures they acquired only seven points out of a possible 18, and they seem to have been figured out over the past few weeks.
At times they look like their cross-city neighbours Sydney FC, with that being no compliment whatsoever.
They come into this with the inclusions of Adam D’Apuzzo and Jerome Polenz into the starting squad hoping to re-boot their form heading into the deeper end of the season.
The men who will decided the outcome of this fixture are the obvious, the Mooys, the Onos, the Berishas and Franjics.
It’s going to be a tough one to predict, but one hell of an entertaining fixture especially for the neutrals.
Brisbane may be too strong though, and edge out 3-1 winners, and extend their lead to ten points.
The Bear
Guest
Harsh? Wanderers played the better football by far. We were shown up last night. It was embarrassing. Popovic is an immense motivator it would seem. They played like their lives (their contracts?!) depended on it. Mooy had an absolute cracker and was finding willing combatants left, right and center. The amount of churlish indignation from experienced Roar players as they pushed Wanderers off the ball time and time again - like I said very un-Roar like performance except for the increasing trend of taking an eternity to play out from the back and transitioning into attack. Ick.
Stevo
Guest
Being a bit harsh on your team? A good high tempo game and would have been appreciated by the FTA audience I hope. WSW were definitely up for this big time in front of their fans so it was going to be a stern test indeed. From what I saw, I was surprised by the over use of the long ball from Roar - emphasis on 'over use'. I think it's a tactic suited to unlocking the WSW defence but was surprised by how often it was used - especially in the second half.
The Bear
Guest
Well. Didn't deserve a point tbh. Mulvey outshone last night. Chins up lads.
AZ_RBB
Guest
What an awesome game! High tempo, great skill and chances galore. Brisbane impressive but matched excellently by WSW and at times well beaten. Very happy with the WSW performance. Its just a shame to concede such a soft goal. Can't imagine a better place to spend my Friday night than Wanderland. RBB in top form as well. Loved it each time the whole stadium joined in.
Stevo
Guest
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/wanderers-midfielder-aaron-mooy-to-join-melbourne-heart-next-season/story-fnk6pqhd-1226819016711
Stevo
Guest
Watch this space!
Zee
Roar Guru
What??? This isn't Speculation? If true, massive, MASSIVE LOSS for WSW. He is my favourite Australian footballer atm, absolute gem
Stevo
Guest
Yep, he's coming down to the MelbourneCityHeartFC next season.
jack
Guest
Well i wanted the 3 but 1 will do the job
Zee
Roar Guru
FT Western Sydney Wanderers 1 – Brisbane Roar 1 Thrilling second half by both sides, WSW showed real character to come back into the back into the match, Poppa's subs did wonders. MOTM for me - Aaron Mooy
Zee
Roar Guru
92` Western Sydney Wanderers 0 – Brisbane Roar 1 Deep into injury time, Bratten takes a free kick, its headed away, WSW play it safe and its a goal kic,
Zee
Roar Guru
I love it when Labinot takes off his shirt. God damnn
Zee
Roar Guru
Blonde moment their, thinking of someone else, about to write someone else, and friggen Slater wouldn't stop saying Bratten
Zee
Roar Guru
`85 Western Sydney Wanderers 1 – Brisbane Roar 1 MOOY WITH AN INCREDIBLE CROSS INTO THE BOX, GREAT RUN IN BY HALITI AND CLASSY FINISH. LABINOT THE HERO AGAIN PARRA GOING OFF
Zee
Roar Guru
HALLITIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII LABINOTTT HALITTIIIIII 1-1 WSW THAT WAS BRILLIANT
handles
Guest
Has Bratten changed sides?
Zee
Roar Guru
`82 Western Sydney Wanderers 0 – Brisbane Roar 1 Dimitri Petratos has a left foot shot from outside the box but its blocked by WSW
Zee
Roar Guru
TOTAL SHOTS | Wanderers 17 Roar 7
Zee
Roar Guru
`80 Western Sydney Wanderers 0 – Brisbane Roar 1 Juric taken down fairly by Theo, in the box ... one second the RBB are calling for heads, next minute they turn their back and do what they do on the 80th minute. Only In Western Sydney
Zee
Roar Guru
`77 Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Brisbane Roar 1 WSW Sub - Cole on Polenz off