Friday’s A-League action sees a finally victorious Brisbane Roar take on struggling but surviving Wanderers Sydney Wanderers.
Home side Brisbane finally picked up their first win of the season last time out, a dramatic 4-3 win away to Sydney FC in which they almost let a three goal lead slip away. More than doubling their points tally with the result, they will be yearning for more against the precious opponents city rivals.
Sydney Wanderers have been inconspicuous in their form, winning one of their last five games, and sinking down to ninth place from seventh in the space of a month. Their drop in form will encourage Brisbane, who need no second invitation to try and win back-to-back games.
As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.
Brisbane Roar Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Macklin Freke (GK); Louis Zabala, Hosine Bility, Lucas Herrington, Antonee Burke-Gilroy; Jay O’Shea, Samuel Klein; Keegan Jelacic, Henry Hore, Ben Halloran; Adam Zimarino.
Despite still sitting on a measly five points, and rock bottom of the table to boot, getting their first League victory of the season will be a huge monkey of Brisbane Roars’ back. For a while they looked likely to produce the worst season in A-League history, but thanks to a three goal first half against Sydney FC, Ruben Zadkovich’s side was able to just about get over the line.
Brisbane, to their credit, have been somewhat unfortunate not to pick up a win until now. Four of their last five defeats have been by a 1-0 scoreline, and the draws they have managed could have gone either way, such as the 4-4 draw to Macarthur FC.
Now with a win under their belt, there will be considerably less stress around the dressing room. However, there is still a load of work to do if they are to avoid finishing bottom of the A-League for the first time in their history.
Western Sydney Wanderers Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Lawrence Thomas (GK); Jack Clisby, Alex Bonetig, Joshua Brilliante, Anthony Pantazopoulos; Bozhidar Kraev, Oscar Preistman, Juan Mata, Nicolas Milanovic; Marcus Antonsson, Zachary Sapsford.
Had things gone differently against Auckland, Wanderers could be sitting pretty in seventh place, comfortably closer to the Champions group spots. However, a 95th minute Neyder Moreno put paid to three points against the A-League's newest team, and instead of celebrating a victory, Wanderers are looking to end a two match winning streak.
However, while they may be in poor form, on Friday they face a side significantly short on fire-power, exhibited with the 13 goals scored difference between the two sides. Wanderers are in far better scoring form, while Brisbane have the second leakiest defence in the league.
However, a win can do miraculous things for a struggling side, and Wanderers will want to avoid any complacency against the league's worst side, otherwise they could well be their next surprise victims.
Recent Meetings:
While it is tempting to back underdogs Brisbane to miraculously win two in a row, we simply don’t think it is likely enough to be worthwhile. With such poor form, there is no promising they will continue the goalscoring form they showed against Sydney FC.
That is why we are instead backing Wanderers, as well as over 2.5 goals.
Brisbane Roar 0-3 Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney will avenge their last minute defeat to Auckland last time out with a comfortable three points here, while Brisbane once again fall into irrelevance after a brief uprising.
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