Wins are proving hard to come by for both Melbourne City and the Western Sydney Wanderers, so expect both teams to give it their all tonight in search of victory. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.50pm (AEDT).
Last November, City appeared to be the team most likely to challenge Sydney FC en route to the A-League championship. Fast forward two months however and City has lost their way significantly despite the best efforts from marquee man Tim Cahill.
Despite opening the scoring in three of City’s last four matches, Cahill’s goal-scoring process has not been enough for City to end a winless A-League run now stretching five games.
Their defence is frail, and opposition teams are now not overly concerned with gifting the lead to a Melbourne outfit that really struggles to hold on to an advantage.
In attack, City’s stars continue to do the job with, Cahill in particular proving a worthy investment for Melbourne. He leads the way up front superbly and his aerial ability is unrivalled in the A-League.
Bruno Fornaroli is all class upfront while Bruce Kamau continues to build solid form after a poor showing against the Melbourne Victory several rounds back.
Unfortunately for City, their attacking prowess is hindered greatly by their weak defence.
Against the Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne produced a shocking second half as they failed to hold on to possession. Poor passing, positioning and a lack of intensity contributed to City giving up yet another lead, only to rescue a draw with a late penalty.
Indeed a repeat of such a performance will see City continue to lose track of league leaders Sydney and Victory.
They are a far better team than their current position on the ladder suggests and they need to start showing some attitude in a game that will be their first since John van’t Schip’s unfortunate resignation.
The Wanderers meanwhile continue to secure draw after draw.
They are struggling to put teams away, just like City, and need to be more clinical if they hope to solidify their place in the top six. Nico Martinez needs to start leading the line more actively if the Wanderers are to go that extra gear.
Prediction
With both teams in desperate need of a win, this should be a well-contested affair. City though, despite their defensive limitations, possess a significantly better attack, and if they can reinforce their frailties at the back, they should get back to winning ways.
Melbourne City 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Ratings last night: 69k on Fox Sports for City v WSW, 54k on SBS. It's good that the Friday night game can break 100k in total.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
"People in Melbourne have shown they love to support Friday night football in the dead of winter." That is different. Yes, they came out in huge numbers for the Real Madrid, Liverpool etc, but those giant clubs will always draw a crowd bigger than an A League match mid season. You can't compare the two. Anyway, I think the 10k plus crowd is a good result. I was out earlier, but taped the match and have just watched it. For me, City looked determined to get a result, especially in the first half. I thought the Wanderers actually played better as a defensive unit after the send off and City dropped their intensity.
anon
Roar Pro
On a perfect Friday evening too! People in Melbourne have shown they love to support Friday night football in the dead of winter. Our soccer chiefs will be having crisis talks next week. Sub 10k for a marquee match up. BBL is destroying all before it. Another successful, exciting night at the Adelaide Oval. Big crowds, big ratings, many sixes and exciting moments. Meanwhile at AAMI Park, one goal was scored in 2 hours.
j binnie
Guest
MF -the official attendance figure published by FFA say the figure was 10,731. Just for accuracy where did you source your figure?. Actually City are drawing quite good crowds for their "non -derby" average calculates at 9559, and since then they have had 2 home crowds of 11,269 against PERTH and 10,731 tonight so they are actually increasing their "true " average. Cheers jb
j binnie
Guest
MF -the official attendance figure published by FFA say the figure was 10,731. Just for accuracy where did you source your figure?. Cheers jb
Nemesis
Guest
That's a top quality observation after watching 90' of football.
Nemesis
Guest
Superb goal by Ivan Franjic - as good a strike as you'd see anywhere in the world. WSW had enough chances to equalise. City had enough chances to put the game away. 1-0 to the end makes it exciting to the end. That's the beauty of football over all other sports.
marron
Guest
Jumpei off = less pressure on the fullbacks. Nico is a genius. I feel embarrassed. KB2 looked alright. Cornthwaite looked a little better than he did in his first stint. Vedran was solid with a great save. Borda what a goose. I'd say cornthwaite will have done enough.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Attendance: 9,776
Alan
Roar Guru
City finally secure a win after five winless matches and are now in third position on the A-League table. They deserved the win no doubt and should have won by more. Franjic's superb volley separates the teams at the end of the day and it took a great goal to secure the win. City back to winning ways. Can they build momentum? City 1 Wanderers 0
AZ_RBB
Guest
WSW surprisingly decent after going down a man. Could have gotten a point out of that. Usually prefer not to point fingers after a loss but I will here. Borda almost solely at fault for that loss. Popa should think twice before putting him back into the starting team.
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME City 1 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Pretty good crowd in tonight. Fornaroli's shot now blocked. City with the ball in the right area. They have been the better team tonight and they finally should break through for a much needed win.. City 1 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
City once again have failed to kill off teams. Chance after chance squandered tonight. Kamau and Rose in particular should have scored. Wanderers with the freekick... 91' - Freekick whipped in but nothing eventuates for WSW. City 1 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE CITY Kamau one on one but his effort is saved! Big moment! City should have put the game to bed! City 1 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Both teams chancing their arm now as City look dangerous. They are stretching the Wanderers defence and crosses continue to test the Wanderers defence. Fitzgerald's shot high and wide. City 1 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
86' - Well City once again off the hook as they begin to defend their lead nervously. Wanderers have done well in the second half with 10 men. City 1 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Well the Wanderers have given themselves a chance here after keeping City's lead to the bare minimum. Can City hold out? The Wanderers now with a chance but the snapshot is just wide! CHANCE WANDERERS City 1 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Gee interesting sub by the Wanderers as Nico Martinez comes off! Cahill also off for City. I would have left Martinez on. City 1 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - The Wanderers to their credit have scrambled well in the second half. They have gotten bodies in the way and are frustrating City here. City 1 Wanderers 0