Roar Guru
Overturning recent poor results will be the aim for both sides in tonight’s A-League clash between Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:00pm (AEDT).
League frontrunners Brisbane will be seeking redemption on home turf after consecutive losses has seen their lead at the top cut to just four points.
In the visiting Glory camp, the storyline is far bleaker.
Kenny Lowe’s men appear rooted to the bottom of the table and are without a win in their last six matches.
Despite the mismatch, Perth will find solace in the Roar’s own recent run of bad form, which includes surprising losses to cellar-dwellers Newcastle and Melbourne Heart.
The last time these two sides met was January 17th in Perth, when the Glory used their home advantage to hold Brisbane to a 0-0 result.
The Queenslanders have historically had the better of Perth, having won 16 of 27 encounters – including the spiteful 2012 Grand Final clash at Suncorp.
In fact, the Glory’s last win over their opponents came in Mike Mulvey’s first game in charge of the Roar, more than 14 months ago.
Despite managing just five shots in their clash with the Heart last week, Mulvey is going into this match with the same squad.
Lowe on the other hand, has brought in youngsters Brandon O’Neill and Jamie Maclaren, but is forced to make do without key defender Michael Thwaite due to suspension, while Riley Woodcock has been dropped.
With Mulvey lamenting the recent lack of service to star striker – and Perth nemesis – Besart Berisha, the pressure is on the likes of Luke Brattan and Matt McKay in the midfield to regain some form.
Meanwhile, the Glory, who have scored the least amount of goals (19) in the competition, will be relying on their defensive game to keep the usual, attack-minded Roar at bay.
Jacob Burns and Rostyn Griffiths need to be on song to limit the service from Brattan and McKay, while marquee signing William Gallas cannot afford any more calamitous defending as seen last week against the Wanderers.
Perth will be feeling unusually confident about their chances at Suncorp given Brisbane’s recent stutter to similarly ranked sides.
Regardless, it is difficult to see Mike Mulvey’s men being overcome by a Glory outfit distracted by internal problems and with just one win from their travels this season.
Brisbane’s midfield should be too strong and we ought to expect Perth nemesis, Besart Berisha, to find his way onto the scoresheet.
Are the wheels falling off the Brisbane train, or will Mike Mulvey’s side maintain their grip on top of the table with a win over the struggling Glory?
Prediction:
Brisbane Roar 3-0 Perth Glory.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:00pm (AEDT).