Round 10: Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Preview

Brisbane Roar return home to try and shake off their heaviest ever W-League defeat when they host the Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 10 live on Fox Sports at Suncorp Stadium.

Despite a promising start, the Roar were overrun by long time rivals Sydney FC falling 4-0 including three goals in the first half.

Meanwhile unlikely hero Jessica Seaman kept the flame flickering on Western Sydney's finals hopes with a late equaliser against Melbourne Victory.

The engine room will once again be the key to this match.  Although Katrina Gorry was her usual effective best, and Tameka Butt worked her way into the match in the second half, without captain Clare Polkinghorne Brisbane struggled to control the midfield against Sydney FC.

The result, their usually reliable back four were under intense pressure all match and were breached on several occasions.

The Wanderers on the other hand halved their midfield battle against the Victory and eventually converted the many opportunities created.

Polkinghorne, Gorry and Elise Kellond-Knight vs Heather Garriock, Emily van Egmond and Linda O'Neill; this tussle will be crucial

Bar their respective defeats to Sydney, defensively both sides have been  solid so with Brisbane Roar possessing the more potent attack, the Wanderers are going to want to equal or win this battle.

Equally for Brisbane a high tempo match will be to their advantage.  Pressing up the park, slick  movement (on and off the ball) and quick transition have been the hallmarks of their victories this season.

The Wanderers, conversely, will be happier with a slower tempo match allowing their creative midfield trio the time to set up and craft attacks. What will key for the Wanderers is that their Michelle Carney and Catherine Cannuli continue to fire as this is almost the last roll of the finals dice.

The last time these two sides met Katrina Gorry was the star of the show as the Roar's midfield general notched up a second half hattrick to defeated the Wanderers 4-1 on their turf.

Head to Head: Played 3, Brisbane 2, Western Sydney 1 

23 January 2014

Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers

Friday 24 January 2014

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Local kick-off: 4pm (5pm AEDT)

** Catch all the action live from 2pm (AEDT) on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 1HD.

Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Nadine ANGERER (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 16. Hayley RASO, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 20. Kate STEWART (gk)

Ins: Clare Polkinghorne (returns from injury), Natasha Wheeler (promoted)

Outs: Ayesha Norrie, Sunny Franco (both omitted)

Unavailable: Amy Chapman (knee - season)

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Shawna Gordon, 5. Emily Van Egmond, 7. Heather Garriock (c), 9. Jenna Kingsley, 10. Servet Uzunlar, 11. Michelle Carney, 12. Jessica Seaman, 13. Catherine Cannuli, 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Linda O’Neill, 18. Helen Petinos, 22. Dimi Poulos (gk)

Unavailable: Camille Levin (hamstring – two weeks), Tori Huster (knee – one week), Kyah Simon (knee - season)