Western United can go top of the A-League on Friday when they host Sydney FC at AAMI Park in Melbourne with kickoff at 11:45 pm.
Current ladder-leaders Sydney sit sixth with eight points from six games, while the Crows are eleventh with four points after six games. Both of these sides were affected by postponements due to an outbreak of coronavirus in recent weeks.
Western’s match against Western Sydney Wanderers was called off last Saturday, which means John Aloisi’s side played its last game of the season against Melbourne Victory on December 26.
Despite United falling behind to a fortuitous Besart Berisha goal, they were still able to create just as many opportunities in front of goal as Victory, who themselves took advantage of a rare defensive mistake from the visitors to seal the win.
Western are so far the lowest scorers in the top eight teams in the division. It is possible that they will need to improve in the attacking third if they are not to need to make a regular habit of keeping clean sheets.
Comparing Sydney FC and Wellington, it is evident that the former have been in fine goalscoring form due to their performance in their last two matches, whereas Wellington have been forced to postpone two of their past three games.
Western United vs Sydney Head to Head
Both sides have four games against each other with hosts taking one win while opponents with three wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Melbourne Victory 3-1 Western United
- Western United 1-0 Adelaide United
- Western United 1-0 Brisbane Roar
- United 0-1 Wellington
- Melbourne City 0-1 Western United
Away
- Macarthur 0-3 Sydney
- Sydney 2-1 Wellington
- Central Coast Mariners 2-0 Sydney
- Sydney 2-0 Macarhtur
- Sydney 2-2 Newcastle Jets
Western United Team News
When coach, Luciano Aloisi, made just one change to the starting eleven last time out with Dylan Pierias coming into the side in place of the experienced midfielder, Alessandro Diamanti, it was expected that the Italian would be back in the starting eleven this week.
Sydney FC Team News
Sydney are likely to line up in their preferred 4-4-2 formation, with Buhagiar and Patrick Wood expected to continue leading the line. However, either Kamsoba or Le Fondre could replace the pair in attack, should they be needed.
Prediction and Odds
Western Sydney could have lost confidence after losing 3-1 last time out, giving Sydney a good opportunity to capitalise on that this Friday.
- Sydney Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Under 3.5
