A-League Round 23 Preview: Western Sydney Wanderers vs Adelaide United

Second placed Western Sydney Wanderers will take on Adelaide United as both teams attempt to re-gain form following dismal performances last week.

Western Sydney come into this game on the back of 3 losses in their last 4 matches in all competitions especially after losing last week’s Sydney Derby is dramatic fashion. However, confidence will be high after Western Sydney’s historic first win in the Asian Champions League, but there will be plenty of question marks over Tony Popovic’s rotation policy.

Adelaide head into this game with a concerning record against top 4 sides in the league, with recent losses to Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.

The scrutiny over Tony Popovic’s rotation policy is well justified. Rotating may work in the short-term, but in a league where squads are small and depth is sparing, there is always going to be an issue stringing consistent performances together. The Wanderer’s may have won midweek, but it isn’t the second string side that is suffering from rotation.

Much like Rafa Benitez’s early days at Liverpool, Wanderer’s results may be suffering from the heavy changes. Rotating a squad is justified when faced with intercontinental competition, however the level in which Popovic is chopping and changing is a concern, with a lack on continuity proving to be a telling tale. It is worth noting that many of Wanderer’s losses this year have come with a near full strength team on the pitch, and it’s hard to look past rotations when looking for a reason as to why these losses occur.

The effect of the Popovic’s policy can be seen in the Wanderers’ defensive performance. Once almost impenetrable, Western Sydney are now conceding regular goals as well as making defensive mistakes. Wanderers have conceded 8 goals in their last 5 league games, a high amount of goals for a team built upon a platform of strong defensive resolve and counter attacking football.

Although recent results combined with off field issues might suggest the fairy tale is over in Wanderland, Wanderers will head into this game favourites but will face a strong challenge from an ever improving Adelaide side.

United have failed in 2 recent attempts to knock over top 4 opposition, they will be chomping at the bit to knock over a fatigued Wanderers side in a chance to prove their finals credentials.

Josep Gombau’s side have been the big improvers this season and are championing the move towards possession based football in the A-League. Their imports in particular have been setting the league alight, with Carrusca, Ferreira and Cirio really starting to shine. Expect Adelaide to dominate possession on Saturday, with the Wanderers allowing them to do so.

This game will be a real game of chess playing into both manager’s strengths. Gombau’s United will be allowed possession and to build up play from the back, whilst Popovic’s Wanderers will be able to put pressure on across the park and look to prey on any United mistakes.

Adelaide need a win as they’re currently sitting just one point inside the six. Wanderers need all 3 points to stem the recent tide. The tactics both teams play almost fit together like yin and yang. This will be a game for the real football fans, with both attacking flair and defensive nous to be on show.

Make sure to get an early dinner on Saturday and have the beers on ice, this one will have you glued to your TV for the full 90.

Form Guide

Played: 5. Wanderers: 3. Draws: 0. Adelaide: 2.

Last Meeting:

19/01/14 at Coopers Stadium. Adelaide 1-0 Wanderers

Recent form;

Wanderers: WLLLW. Adelaide WWLWL.

Absentee List

Wanderers: Mark Bridge (dropped), Tahj Minniecon (injured).

Adelaide: Cassio (injured), Ryan Griffiths (transferred to Sarawak).

Possible XI

Wanderers (4-3-3): Covic; Polenz, Spiranovic, Topor-Stanley, D’Apuzzo; Poljak, Mooy, Ono; Hersi,Juric, Santalab.

Adelaide (4-3-3): Galekovic ; Malik, McKain, Boogaard, Elrich; Isais, Watson, Cirio; Ferreira, Djite, Zullo.

Eyes On

Tomi Juric. The World Cup hopeful has been kept on ice over recent weeks, used sparingly which has probably damaged his Brazil hopes, but this will be Wanderer’s gain. Western Sydney have struggled to play their physical brand of football without Juric up front and have sorely missed Juric’s ability to bring those around him into the game. Don’t expect Juric to really trouble Galekovic , but expect Juric to add another dimension to the Wanderer’s game, increasing the involvement and effectiveness of the likes of Hersi, Santalab and Ono.

Prediction

Possession football isn’t always the winner. We have seen plenty of goals in recent weeks coming from errors playing out from the back. I expect Wanderers to allow Adelaide possession across the backline and look to swoop on any mistakes to mount a counter attack. Both teams have been leaking goals, there is no reason why they won’t flow once again in this match up. Wanderers to take this one in a classy affair.

Predicted Score: WSW 2:1 ADE (HT 0:0)

FTSAL Fact

The home team has come away victorious in 4 of the 5 previous encounters between Western Sydney and Adelaide.

Out of his 17 A-league goals, Jeronimo Neumann has only scored 3 outside of Adelaide.

Adelaide have scored in their last 11 games straight, their last goalless game coming in the 0-0 draw with Perth in December.

 

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