It is the final Sydney Derby of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season, with the Sky Blues eyeing their sixth consecutive win in all competitions against their rivals.
Heading into Saturday night’s match, Sydney FC can lean on some pretty significant history, losing just one of the last 15 clashes between the Harbour City rivals.
It is an astonishing run, which has included 10 wins and plenty of forgettable nights for the boys in Red and Black.
While their Finals Series hopes officially ended with last weekend’s 3-2 loss to the Newcastle Jets, the Wanderers will not be lacking any motivation heading into this one.
If Markus Babbel’s men can avoid defeat at ANZ Stadium, the Sky Blues would likely see the Premiers’ Plate they have won for the last two seasons go to Perth Glory 24 hours later.
For Sydney FC, who took a giant stride towards a top-two finish by beating Melbourne Victory 2-1 last weekend, the trip to Homebush won’t hold any great fears.
The Sky Blues have won five of their seven games at ANZ Stadium, scoring eight goals in their last two wins over the Wanderers at the venue, including a 3-1 triumph earlier this season.
It is also a milestone fixture for Sydney midfielder Brandon O’Neill, who will play his 100th Hyundai A-League game for the club on Saturday night.
Key Opta stats
- Western Sydney Wanderers have not won against Sydney FC in the Hyundai A-League since February 18, 2017 (D1, L4 since). They have lost the last four against the Sky Blues.
- The Wanderers need just four more goals to equal their club record for most goals in a regular Hyundai A-League season (44 in 2015/2016).
- Sky Blues defender Rhyan Grant created more chances (four) than any other player in Round 24.
Ins and outs
Western Sydney Wanderers FC Squad: 3.Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, 5.Brendan HAMILL (c), 9.Oriol RIERA, 10.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 12.Mitchell DUKE, 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Rashid MAHAZI, 24.Raul LLORENTE, 27.Kwame YEBOAH, 28.Roly BONEVACIA, 33.Tate RUSSELL, 40.Nicholas SUMAN (gk), 49.Abraham MAJOK **two to be omitted**
Ins: 19.Mark BRIDGE (promoted), 33.Tate RUSSELL (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 8.Jordan O’DOHERTY (injury – knee), 34.Patrick ZIEGLER (injury – knee)
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Aaron CALVER, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 5.Jop van der LINDEN, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Danny DE SILVA, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 16.Reza GHOOCHANNEJHAD, 17.Anthony CACERES, 18. Jacob TRATT, 20.Alex CISAK (gk), 22.Siem DE JONG, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 31.Luke IVANOVIC **two to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Jop van der LINDEN (promoted), 18. Jacob TRATT (promoted), 31. Luke IVANOVIC (promoted)
Outs: 7.Michael ZULLO (hamstring – 1 week)
Unavailable: 3.Ben WARLAND (ACL – indefinite), 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (ACL – indefinite), 19.Chris ZUVELA (ACL – indefinite)
How to watch
#WatchWithUs LIVE on 10 Bold or tenplay, and on FOX SPORTS 505, with kick off at 7.50pm (AEST). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App.
