Round 23 A-League kicks off at Allianz Stadium on Friday night when Sydney FC host the Brisbane Roar. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm AEDT.
Brisbane put nine goals past Sydney in their last two clashes but this week they meet a Sky Blues side hot off a 3-1 derby win over Western Sydney.
With the addition of centre-back Sasa Ognenovski Sydney also have a much improved defence.
The Roar have already secured a finals spot but could wrap up the Premiers’ Plate with victory on Saturday, should other results go their way.
So the pressure is squarely on Sydney who are desperate to hang on to their top-six spot with only five games remaining.
Brisbane will be without Socceroo Ivan Franjic, who injured his ankle last week.
Jade North, James Donachie and Jean Carlos Solorzano are also sidelined by injury for Brisbane.
Key: Besart Berisha.
The Albanian striker didn’t score any of his side’s nine goals against Sydney but, having returned to his attacking best with a brace last week, he’ll be looking to continue the barrage.
Tip: Roar
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm AEDT.
With AAP.
Gareth
Guest
Tough game. Watching the replay again and I can't understand how commentators see that a red card was harsh for Besart. He jumps from A distance (no control when he's off the ground) studs up, no chance of touching the ball. As soon as you leave your feet like that you risk a red card. LAW 12- serious foul play. Deserved!
Pablo
Guest
Not sure there are too many neutrals when it comes to Berisha. For me he jumps in with studs raised but its not a tackle, he is so far from the player thats an attempted block on the ball. Yes it looks bad but no way a red card but i will have to watch the replay in the morning to confirm I am right.
Roarsome
Guest
Solo to start next week against MV, should be a good window to next season.
Bobbo7
Guest
Looked pathetic. Man up and get on with it. Cannot stand this part of the game.
TK
Guest
miller can go to the bench for mine. he has done very little all season.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Scared, as in too frightened to play on the field - sorry just realised the typo (going to blame the phone ;-) ) Can't believe any of those professional players were too scared to take the match...bit of a cop-out.
Arto
Guest
Touche! Best of luck tomorrow - I'm more partial to the Jets than CCM if I'm pushed to tip a winner omorrow! I'm hoping it's a draw though... ;-)
Arto
Guest
If SFC management were worth their paychecks, they would probably look at this game as having been more typical of SFC than the past few weeks (although the Derby did display some good aspects of our season too)... And therein lies the truth, that SFC will reach a limit which is artificially low whilst Farina, Barlow & Pignata are in charge...
Arto
Guest
Well, he's trying to save face and clutching at straws so I guess that's what he would say... The too scared (or did you mean scarred from the previous results? Both Despotovic & Ryall came out in the media talking about the past 2 games, so I'm not sure which word you meant) to play thing could be right, however it HIS job as manager to get them mentally prepared so that they are NOT too scared... As for a fair result, judging by the radio commentary I heard, even I think we were lucky to keep a point - Miller really does need to practice shooting - so it sounds to me a bit defeatist of him...
Griffo
Roar Guru
I think he's starting to fine tune tactics for the game but you'd expect fine running this part of the season coming in. At least Brilliante is on the field...wasted on the bench.
fadida
Guest
You heard correctly. Shameful
Arto
Guest
Ok. Thanks for the info. Fox Sports for me has the best analysis (although I think Foz is good too), hence why I asked about them... I try to stream the games on Fox, but obvioulsy can't do that whilst at work!!!
fadida
Guest
Frankie's admitted he didn't know what went wrong. He should have had his mobile refreshing The Roar. Probably a job fitting Kalac's "talents". Sackable. There are theses in playing v 10 men. What does he do all day?
Griffo
Roar Guru
Farina saying they were too scarred to play? Doesn't sound like he had a lot of answers. Thought the front line played well, even without ADP. Thought draw was probably a fair result. If I heard correctly, he said they were probably glad for the full time whistle (to not lose the point ?)
Arto
Guest
Gorman - he's got a proven track record of setting up a good operation and not least getting the culture of the organisation right! As for the Jets, in respect of you, I'll decline to comment except to say that if they were SFC, they would be called a basket-case such has been their performances in the HAL...
Griffo
Roar Guru
No more incentive to beat the Mariners than that :-P
fadida
Guest
Not convinced by Zane yet. At least e had got Brillante at FB and pushed him up. LB needs a rethink though
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in guys, I'll see you next week for what is hopefully a much better game.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
With Taggart playing anything is possible ;)
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yes Mulvey went off the script there - obviously thought it was harsh but it was a red.