2015/16 W-League: Round 9 Preview

As the season speeds along, almost every team will be desperate to take some points this round to either solidify their place in the top four, or bridge the very small gap for those outside.

Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers

Saturday 12 December 2015 | Veneto Club Bulleen, Melbourne | Local kick-off: 3pm

Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #MVCvWSW

** Listen LIVE on TuneIn – http://tunein.com/radio/Melbourne-Victory-W-League-Live-s256287/

Round 8 saw last placed Melbourne Victory lose to league leaders Melbourne City with a 4-0 scoreline but they held City to 1-0 at half time.

The Wanderers managed a 2-2 draw against Sydney last week in a match where they could have taken all three points and now sit sixth on the ladder.

Last encounter: The Wanderers drew away from a struggling Melbourne Victory with a 3-1 win in Round 5.

What to watch for: Melbourne Victory may have had only one win this season but the Wanderers shouldn’t take them lightly. There are still patches of errors but they are an improved team from the last encounter only four rounds ago.

Dave Edmondson will be absent from the bench but the team will no doubt have strict instructions to stick to the game plan and maintain their structure.

Natasha Dowie has injected a dangerous amount of pace in the forward line but Victory will need to connect the midfield and offence for any chance of threatening the Wanderers.

Wanderers keeper Jada Whyman has shown some excellent form throughout the season and she will be called upon to have a good game with the gloves this round.

Keelin Winters will be looking to control the midfield and the tussle between Victory’s Christine Nairn and Winters in the center will be tantamount to who comes out on top.

Player to watch: Natasha Dowie showed glimpses of her skills and pace at the Veneto Club last round and will be looking to showcase a lot more this Saturday.

Dowie is renowned for her speed and goal scoring prowess and could just be the fire Victory needs.

Head to Head: Played 6 | 4 wins MVC | 1 win WSW | 1 Draw

	Melbourne Victory	Western Sydney Wanderers
Team Form:	L, W, L, L, L	D, L, W, W, L
In:	Hayley Raso (returns from injury), Enza Barilla (promoted)	Tara Pender, Jordan Baker, Eliza Ammendolia (all promoted)
Out:	Cindy Lay (omitted)	Erica Halloway (hamstring - 2 weeks), Demi Koulizakis (shoulder - indefinite)
Unavailable:	Selin Kuralay (knee – season), Laura Spiranovic (knee – season)	Caitlin Cooper (leg – season), Kendall Johnson (leg - indefinite), Teagan Micah (injured – 2 weeks)

Canberra United v Adelaide United

Sunday 12 December 2015 | McKellar Park, Canberra | Local kick-off: 4pm

Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #CBRvADL

Canberra United are one of the form sides in recent weeks, particularly following on from their 2-0 victory over an improved Brisbane Roar last round. The magical boot of Ash Sykes drilling both goals.

Adelaide’s 1-1 draw with Perth Glory in Round 8 will be something they need to improve upon if they hope to get more points and finish the season in the top four. The good news is they’re not intimidated by the big guns out there and their approach to Canberra will be not any different. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Last encounter: It has been quite a while since these two teams last met back in Round 6 of Season 7. On that occasion it was Adelaide who defeated Canberra 3-2 at Canberra’s fortress, McKellar Park.

What to watch for: Canberra’s defence has been strong with Ellie Brush, Emma Checker and Lydia Williams offering plenty of resistance to anyone trying to come their way.

Adding the impressive performances of Ash Sykes and Caitlin Munoz to the mix and Canberra are well on their way to the finals.

Adelaide have shown some great form across the season with some strong results and clever coaching from Jamie Harnwell a particular focus.

This will be a real opportunity for Adelaide to see if they can challenge for a finals position. Expect Abby Dahlkemper, Alex Gummer, Rosie Sutton and keeper Kaitlyn Savage to throw everything at Canberra in what should be a compelling encounter.

Player to watch: Rosie Sutton has been something of a revelation at Adelaide this season. With a tally of four goals she could definitely entertain the crowds.

Ash Sykes has also been in sensational form. The speedy attacker could cause plenty of challenges for Adelaide’s defence.

Head to Head: Played 10 | 7 wins (CBR) | 2 win (ADL) | 1 Draw

	Canberra United	Adelaide United
Team Form:	W, W, W, D, L	D, L, D, L, W
In:	Meg McLaughlin (promoted)	Gabby Bentley (promoted)
Out:	None	None
Unavailable:	None	Marijana Rajcic (knee – season)

Perth Glory v Sydney FC

Sunday 13 December 2015 | Ashfield Reserve, Perth | Local kick-off: 4pm (7:00pm AEDT)

Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #PERvSYD

Perth have struggled this season both in scoring goals and winning games. Last round saw them grab a point off Adelaide United in an unconvincing 1-1 match.

Sydney, sitting third on the table, are travelling pretty well but will be disappointed drawing 2-2 with the Wanderers last week despite a stunning goal from Alanna Kennedy.

Last encounter: Kyah Simon proved the difference the last time these two teams met in Round 4 this season. Sydney taking out a 1-0 victory.

What to watch for: Who can score could be the question of the day. Whilst Sydney are sitting third on the ladder, they’re anything but convincing given they have only scored six goals this season. That’s equal lowest along with Perth, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane.

Player to watch: Perth Glory’s Caitlin Foord is always fascinating to watch but Sydney’s firepower with Kyah Simon, Jasmyne Spencer and Leena Khamis will be a threatening combination.

Head to Head: Played 7 | 6 wins (PER) | 8 wins (SYD) | 0 Draws

	Perth Glory	Sydney FC
Team Form:	D, L, W, L, L	D, W, L, W, W
In:	Katie Schubert (promoted)	Nicola Bolger (returns from injury), Ellyse Perry (returns from cricket commitments)
Out:	Carla Bennett (fractured wrist - 1 week)	Outs: Natalie Tobin (omitted)
Unavailable:	Sarah Carroll (foot – indefinite), Samantha Kerr (foot – season)	Renee Rollason (knee – 2 weeks)

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City

Sunday 13 December 2015 | Hunter Stadium, Newcastle | Local kick-off: 2pm | (Hyundai A-League double-header)

* Watch all the action Live from 2.00pm nationally on Fox Sports (Channel 505), or ABC TV. Or catch-up on ABC iView.

Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #NEWvMCY

Newcastle were able to rest on their laurels last round with a bye following their Round 6 demolition of Brisbane Roar 4-0, whilst Melbourne City grabbed another 3 points with a patient 4-0 defeat of Melbourne Victory in the second Melbourne derby.

Last encounter: These two teams have never played before so their history starts this week with both teams hoping to take the inaugural honours.

What to watch for: The high press and midfield dominance offered by Melbourne City and the lightning quick counter attacks from Newcastle Jets promise to be absolutely captivating.

Player to watch: It’s hard to go past the goalscoring prowess of Larissa Crummer this season for a player to watch, but it’s the sublime distribution to Crummer which is key. Keep one eye one Lisa De Vanna and the other on Kim Little and you should have enthralling viewing for the full 90.

Head to Head: First encounter

	Newcastle Jets	Melbourne City
Team Form:	W, D, D, L, W	W, W, W, W, W
In:	Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Tara Andrews, Chloe Logarzo (return from Matildas)	None
Out:	Kobie Ferguson, Brooke Miller (both omitted)	None
Unavailable:	None	Monique Iannella (knee – indefinite)