A sold-out Allianz Stadium awaits Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers for another edition of what is fast becoming one of Australia’s greatest sporting rivalries. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
It doesn’t get much bigger than this. The Sydney derby might be only a few years old but it has always delivered, and tonight’s edition looms as the most tantalising yet.
The Wanderers have a slight advantage in the head-to-head stakes, with three wins compared to Sydney’s two, but this week they’re coming off arguably the worst result in the club’s short history.
Nobody saw their 4-1 loss to Melbourne Victory coming, and it’s highly unlikely Tony Popovic will allow his men – who have the AFC Champions League final in their sights – to turn in a second dire performance in as many outings.
Sydney, meanwhile, will hand debuts to the prolific Shane Smeltz and marquee striker Marc Janko, while Bernie Ibini and Ali Abbas return from international duty to join the squad that fought out a 1-1 draw with Melbourne City last week.
Tomi Juric and Nikolai Topor-Stanley are back for Western Sydney, but the red and black are still missing the injured Matthew Spiranovic, while new signing Nikita Rukavytsya is not yet cleared to make an appearance for the club.
It’s almost too close to call. Sydney looked reasonable in the opening round but will take time to hit their straps with so many new faces in sky blue. The Wanderers, on the other hand, surely won’t be as bad as last week. Surely.
Will Western Sydney recover from their embarrassment in Melbourne, and put a dent in Sydney’s growing confidence under Graham Arnold? Or will the Sky Blues put it together and deliver a second defeat to their cross-town rivals?
There’s only one way to find out – strap yourself in, get comfortable, and follow our live updates, commentary and analysis as the action unfolds at the SFS.
Domitian
Guest
Really? Why? He's playing to win, loved his passion, his touches could have been a bit better though.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
Really? I thought you said it was going to be a drubbing.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Hey guys, Video not too far away. Hope everyone enjoyed the game. For more football action, I'm calling the Premier League game between City and Spurs right now. Hope to see you there.
Igor
Guest
Congratulations to Sydney FC, but such unsportsmanlike behaviour from Ognjenovski is not acceptable. Absolutely shocking!
Wynter
Roar Pro
Not the best result but a great game nontheless. :)
Josh
Guest
I meant the week after.
Domitian
Guest
Yeah, feel a bit sorry for Saba, it wasn't nasty but you can't really argue with it.
pete4
Guest
Great derby!! Thought SFC were gone after the 2nd one went in. Saba didn't help things in the 2nd half getting sent off... hopefully WSW can recover for the ACL Final 1st leg next week
Josh
Guest
Poor discipline and an understrength team gave SFC a win, this will be normal for the next few weeks until WSW begin to fire with the A team. I can see WSW losing next week too, should be ok after that.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
We done SFC. The year of the Sky Blues
Vince Rugari
Expert
GAME OVER. 3-2 SYDNEY. What a game! Your thoughts? For me, that's a great win for Sydney - nothing like coming from two down at home to beat your derby rivals, particularly when there's a red card involved. That had it all. Let's hope next week's Melbourne derby - and the ACL final - can give us the same sort of buzz. Cheers for joining me, catch you next time.
jamesb
Guest
Trust you to support a team in blue lol
Vince Rugari
Expert
And by that I mean, the Wanderers know they're cooked with nine on the park.
Vince Rugari
Expert
90+2' - Sydney FC 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers Nearly done. Five minutes of stoppage time, and we're halfway through it. Pretty much everyone would be happy if KGJ blew the whistle right now.
Vince Rugari
Expert
90'' - Sydney FC 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers Simon Hill advises that Brendon Santalab has limped off with injury - and WSW have made all three subs! That means they'll play this game out with nine players, so the cue is pretty much in the rack right now
Renegade
Guest
Only seen the second half and it's been great... With the good guys on top, Sydney FC are back!
Vince Rugari
Expert
86' - Sydney FC 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers Less than five minutes to go now and it's looking like Sydney will lock this one away. Can you believe the Wanderers have leaked seven goals in the last two games? Two losses in a row too - a bad start to what will probably be the tightest A-League season on record.
Whites
Guest
3:2 now to Sydney
Vince Rugari
Expert
Mark Rudan has called it - best Sydney derby yet. Hard to argue. But is there another twist in the tale? Eight minutes to go, and Gamiero is subbed OFF - ON comes Ali Abbas, and you know he'll give everything he's got in these final minutes. 3-2 Sydney.
Vince Rugari
Expert
HE'S DONE IT THIS TIME! BROSQUE MAKES IT 3-2 SYDNEY! What a moment...was that Gersbach with the chest to control the ball in? Not sure - actually, he had the ball in, and Gamiero was the recipient. He showed great vision to find Brosque with a little poke, and the new skipper made no mistake - firing in what looks like the winner in front of the home end. Fans running onto the field to celebrate with him has well! 80 minutes gone, 3-2 Sydney... and of course, it's Poznan time for the RBB, regardless of the fact they just conceded.