Brisbane Roar will take on Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium as the A-League returns after international break.
Let’s be honest, international breaks are boring. And when England comes up against teams like the Czech Republic or Montenegro to qualify for the Euros, it’s obviously going to be a thrashing for England.
So fans really look forward to the return of league football, and the A-League especially.
Sydney FC will be looking to show that they can still compete for the A-League championship after handing the minor premiership to Perth Glory after a 2-0 loss against Melbourne City.
Sydney have actually been doing well in most aspects recently, except getting the ball into the net.
It is something that Steve Corica has been asked about a lot in recent weeks, but when asked about it in a pre-match press conference, he said Daniel De Silva and Siem de Jong were returning.
This is a shame any because it eliminates any possible strategy changes, as the speculation about his job has been building up in recent weeks. But unfortunately it seems that nothing will change tactics-wise, unless he is holding his cards very close to his chest.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar put up a strong performance against Melbourne Victory, and they mentally have the advantage against Sydney in this clash.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar have sustained an injury crisis, but in doing that have uncovered a gem in Dylan Wenzel-Halls.
The 21-year-old star has been incredible already for Brisbane Roar, having netted four goals and bagged two assists in 15 matches.
In recent weeks Darren Davies has been playing him in what is in my opinion his best position, in the hole and slightly behind the striker.
One of his best qualities is his ability to use his pace when getting the ball in behind as well as his quality on the ball. He is effective on either wing, and he deserves a place in the Olyroos squad.
That said, Henrique has been excelling in a selfless striker role, bouncing off the wingers and midfielders. His clever flick-ons and cheeky dribbles have made him the perfect person to play in that position.
Predicted starting line-up
GK: Jamie Young
LB: Stefan Nigro
CB: Ruon Tongyik
CB: Jacob Pepper
RB: Daniel Leck
LM: Eric Bautheac
CM: Matt McKay
CM: Alex Lopez
RM: Tobias Mikkelsen
CF: Dylan Wenzel-Halls
ST: Henrique
Sydney FC
Steve Corica has confirmed that marquee Siem de Jong and young star Daniel De Silva are set to return, but he confirmed that neither of them are signing.
This means that this game will determine Anthony Caceres’ future at Sydney FC.
After coming on a mid-season loan deal, he has been a solid player, but hasn’t really been thinking outside the box as he should be doing in his position.
De Jong and De Silva both have played in that position, and it is likely that Steve Corica will favour either one of them over Caceres, so it is really do or die for him.
His loan expires at the end of the season, and it is likely that he will be transferred to another A-League club if Sydney don’t offer him a contract.
After Ben Warland tore his ACL against Melbourne City, it has opened up a spot in the heart of defence.
Jacob Tratt should cement his spot, and it is likely as Aaron Calver is set to leave, so Sydney won’t be looking to try and make him their first-choice centre back before the end of the season.
The fact Tratt hasn’t been selected means that Jop van der Linden could be looking for a revival at Sydney.
Josh Brillante has also been promoted after an apparent J-League deal fell through, and it is likely that he will return into the starting line-up.
Predicted starting eleven
GK: Andrew Redmayne
LB: Michael Zullo
CB: Jop van der Linden
CB: Alex Wilkinson
RB: Rhyan Grant
CDM: Brandon O’Neill
CDM: Josh Brillante
LAM: Milos Ninkovic
RAM: Anthony Caceres
ST: Reza Ghoochannejhad
ST: Adam Le Fondre
Prediction
This will be a tight game, but Sydney will come out on top.
The final score will be 2-1 to Sydney, with Adam Le Fondre getting one goal and Rhyan Grant getting another. Milos Ninkovic will get man of the match.
Jack George
Roar Guru
I see where you're going at, but bench De Jong and Ninkovic? I don't get why everyone wants De Jong to leave; he's only 30 and has a few good years left in him, and he's shown how good he can be. Ninkovic also showed why - at 34 - he's still a regular starter for Sydney FC. Maybe you didn't see this, but he got man of the match which was deserved in my opinion.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Corica finally saw sense and put Reza on the bench. Reza it was evident from the last game after 20-30 minutes he was spent. Arnold would have been incapable of making that mental leap. As a sub against tiring teams he will be much more effective. I would go one step further and bench Ninkovic, teams have worked out all they need to is hack him to take him out. Having him on the bench to come fresh when players have got yellows then would make him super effective. Brosque Cacceres De Silva can run teams off their legs and dominate the midfield, something Ninkovic,Reza, and De Jong will never be able to do. Then bring on those three as subs to take advantage. A lot of Arnolds success was down to the use of Ibini,Carney as subs, not Simon because Arnold did not know how to use Simon that effectively. Corica has already surpassed Arnold in coaching ability he needs to partially adopt the Arnold needy mentality to get everything out of the club, Arnold is like the bloke on the corner asking for 2 dollar coins, he has no shame and doesn;t take no for an answer.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Well, it depends on what type of team you would want, but I think that Barberouses would be better for the Roar at the moment. That being said, I would like to see Bauthaec be put into a team like Melbourne Victory, as Barberouses is benefiting from the service, whereas Bauthaec has to do a lot of the service himself, so they are hard to compare.
Waz
Roar Rookie
@ Lionheart Yeah, hard to hold DD to account - it was a big job following JA
Waz
Roar Rookie
Just to put Eric in to perspective, he gets paid more than double what Kosta Barbarouses gets paid - which player would you prefer?
Jack George
Roar Guru
I feel like Le Fondre can regain his form tonight, and I'm really looking forward to seeing De Jong get back on the field with him, as I thought that they were racking up a good partnership. 60th minute: De Jong on for Reza. 70th minute: De Silva for Caceres. Ninkovic and Le Fondre stay on and we welcome back our best attacking four.
Jack George
Roar Guru
I doubt that he will stay. There are talks of him moving to the MLS, which is a higher standard and way higher pay, and he hasn't been very successful at the Roar.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Fair comment Waz. After the big effort put in by the club to grow membership and promote attendance this year, it's agonizing to watch. I don't think we can hold Davies to account, from what I can see he's pretty much on his own, but I do agree, it's hard to see a consistent pattern in our play or selections. It's good to see the youngsters given a go - I'd like to see more of Jay Barnett who seems to have disappeared after just a few (promising) minutes. I hope Eric stays next year but read in the Courier yesterday that he's talking with other clubs, here and overseas, says he can't hang around waiting for a new coach who may not want him anyway.
Waz
Roar Rookie
There’s something like 10 Roar players looking for new contracts that will be in the 16 tonight, very few if any of them are going to risk injury in this game hence why the performances are becoming increasingly tepid in nature - one injury could mean you have no club next season!
Jack George
Roar Guru
Being a Sydney FC fan, I never want to predict a 4-0 win, but it could be possible. If Ninkovic and Le Fondre look up to it, you never know what will happen. That being said, the likes of Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Bauthaec probably have a goal in them.
Jack George
Roar Guru
I agree, and I feel like Corica might be secretly already planning next season. A team like Sydney FC should always be going for a title push, but they haven't looked up to it this season, so something to do with formation or tactics has to change for next season if they want to rival Perth Glory.
Bruz
Roar Rookie
Le Fondre is going through a rough patch in form of late, hasn’t looked as dynamic and clinical as he did earlier in the season. Siem is injury prone as he as been through out his career. I think Sydney will bounce back after their 2-0 defeat to city. Brisbane have been ordinary this season as they have been for the last couple of years, despite that Jamie Young is outstanding in goals
Waz
Roar Rookie
I’m not convinced you should be getting rid of Corica just yet, you’re second to a clearly better Glory side. The only way I’d say get rid of Corica is if they could entice Poppa as replacement
Jack George
Roar Guru
I think that Corica should at least be going to the end of the season, as it is too late in the season to be thinking about new coaches with all the ACL games coming up as well. But if Sydney wins tonight, they will still be second on the ladder, so should Sydney really sack him?
Waz
Roar Rookie
There’s very little to commend this Roar side who will, very shortly, officially become the worst ever Roar side. Davies, after some early promise, seems to be sending out a side confused as to how it wants to play football. And with literally ten starters from the beginning of the season missing we’re technically running our reserves out with a couple of first teamers in their for good measure. It should be a SFC victory, and the prospect of them banging in 4 goals is very real given our recent home form. Roars best chance is not to concede first (that first 15 minutes is their downfall) and instead to score first (that 15 minutes before halftime is our sweetspot). Go in 1-0 up at halftime and we’ll have a game otherwise it’ll be a one sided affair with home fans playing “spot the player who will be here next season” to pass the time (two, Young and DWH).
Vic Ram
Guest
If Sydney FC don't win against Roar, Corica should be sacked immediately and the management should focus on 2019/2020 season because after the loss no Sydney FC fan will have faith towards finals this year!!!!!!!