Round 4 Preview: Western Sydney Wanderers vs Adelaide United
A hungry Western Sydney Wanderers side will be looking to build off their first win of the season, and derby victory, to secure three points in front of a sold out Pirtek Stadium this Friday against Adelaide.
After succumbing to draws in their opening two matches against Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix respectively, the Wanderers bounced back with a comfortable 2-0 win over cross-city rivals Sydney FC.
Goals from La Rocca and Shinji Ono before half-time gave the away side a comfortable lead at the break. Despite a mini Sydney FC fight-back, Tony Popovic’s troops held on for a memorable victory in front of a 40,000 plus Allianz Stadium crowd.
The Derby win leaves Western Sydney in second place in the A-League standings, one point adrift of front-runners Brisbane Roar and equal on points with Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory.
Fifth placed Adelaide are coming into this match after suffering from their first loss of the season at the hands of Central Coast Mariners.
An early goal from Nick Fitzgerald proved to be the difference in that match and despite dominating in every facet of the game, Josep Gombau’s men were unable to salvage anything from their clash at Bluetongue Stadium.
As history has shown, the Reds haven’t had much luck against the Wanderers in previous encounters. However, having said that their new, energetic style of play gave the A-League newcomers plenty to worry about during their pre-season draw in Penrith and they’ll be hoping to go one better in Parramatta.
Form Guide: Western Sydney Wanderers (DDW) Adelaide United: (WDL)
Previous encounter: Adelaide United 2-4 Western Sydney Wanderers
Played: (3). Western Sydney Wanderers: (2). Draw: (0). Adelaide United: (1).
Stat Attack
Goals 2013/14: Western Sydney Wanderers: (4). Adelaide United: (5).
Goals conceded: Western Sydney Wanderers: (2). Adelaide United: (4).
Successful passes: Western Sydney Wanderers: (824). Adelaide United: (1127).
Shots (total): Western Sydney Wanderers: (40). Adelaide United: (20).
Absentee List: Western Sydney Wanderers: Appiah Kubi (groin), Youssouf Hersi (foot), Yianni Perkatis (knee), Josh Barresi (leg).
Adelaide United: Cassio (injured), Bowles (injured), Djite (injured).
Possible XI
Western Sydney Wanderers (4-2-3-1): Covic; D’Appuzo, Spiranovic, Beauchamp, Polenz; Poljak, La Rocca; Bridge, Ono, Santalab; Juric.
Adelaide United (4-3-3): Galekovic; Zullo, McKain, Boogard, Elrich; Isaias, Malik, Lustica; Cirio, McGrath, Ferreira
Eyes On… Shinji Ono – As was said by Boris Gligorevic on the FTSWeekly podcast (check it out!), if there was one player that Sydney FC didn’t want to play into form, it was Shinji Ono. The Japanese playmaker was in supreme form last Saturday with a goal and assist. His impact was deeper than that however, buzzing around the field and connecting play with his superb vision and majestic touch. He changed the game for the Wanderers against the Mariners in Round 1 and was superb against Wellington in the first half. Adelaide will have to keep a firm eye on the Wanderers’ Japanese marquee.
Stat: Despite playing centrally, Ono has made 23 crosses this season, more than anyone else in the Western Sydney squad (second is Hersi with 14).
Prediction
The Wanderers remain undefeated this season and are slowly grinding into top gear. Adelaide have struggled while travelling and that is likely to continue as they will be without their main goal-scorer, Jeronimo, who, despite returning from an injury lay-off, will mostly feature on the bench. That being said, teams with a high press and active midfield have given the Wanderers trouble this season and in the pre-season. Wellington, in the second half, perfectly demonstrated this and Sydney FC tried (unsuccessfully) to replicate a similar effort in the Derby. However, a sold out Pirtek Stadium and a buzzing Wanderers team should be good enough to come away with a victory. Expect Spiranovic to get his first start for the team, better at passing out from the back than Topor-Stanley.
2-1 win to the Western Sydney Wanderers.
FTSAL Fact – Western Sydney have never won a game where they’ve achieved more possession than their opponents. Even when the Wanderers defeated Adelaide 6-1 last December, the Reds had 62% of possession.
In their last ten away games, Adelaide United have scored five goals in the first half and four goals in the second half. The Wanderers, in their last ten home games, have scored only three goals in the first half but twelve goals in the second half.
Editor’s Note: A late injury blow will see the Wanderers feature without attacker Youssouf Hersi. The Wanderers have never won without the Dutchman and look to break this hoodoo if they are to have any chance in beating Adelaide. The last game where Hersi did not play? The 2:0 loss to Central Coast Mariners in the Grand Final last season.
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