The fifth Sydney Derby kicks off Round 3 as the Western Sydney Wanderers host Sydney FC at Marconi Stadium.

The two sides have had contrasting starts to Season 7 with the hosts dropping points in both their high scoring encounters with a 4-1 loss to ladder leaders Canberra United and a 5-3 loss to defending champions Melbourne Victory.

Sydney FC on the other hand have enjoyed a more positive start thanks to a 2-0 win over Adelaide United and a fighting 2-1 victory over strong rivals Brisbane Roar.

The youngest squad in the W-League, the Wanderers have pulled in some reinforcements with Sky Blue FC midfielder/defender Kendall Johnson set to bring some much needed experience in the crucial engine room.

Johnson, and Round 2's Player of the Week Keelin Winters, will be key in quelling, or at least splitting possession, with Sydney's midfield axis of Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger and Natalie Tobin.

While Caitlin Cooper and Trudy Burke have held their own, the Wanderers defence has been undermanned and Johnson's versatility means she could even by deployed by Norm Boardman to help steady a defence that has been bombarded in the first two rounds.

Defensively the Sky Blues have the edge with a well drilled defence led by Servet Uzunlar, Renee Rollason and Casey Dumont.

Dumont put in one of the performances of the round with the goalkeeper battling through the pain of bruised ribs to hold steady against former Brisbane Roar teammates.

Goalwise Boardman will be looking to seasoned campaigners Michelle Carney, Hannah Beard and the returning Linda O'Neill.

The Wanderers Player of the Year in Season 6, and a former championship winning Sydney FC player, O'Neill's addition will be welcomed with the 22 year old providing attacking verve and some much needed goals.

The Wanderers have never defeated their cross-town rivals but, following the appointment of coach Alen Stajcic to the Matildas and with the uncertainly, there has never been a more opportune time for the Wanderers to meet Sydney FC.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC

Saturday 27 September 2014

Marconi Stadium, Sydney

Local kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Kirralee Andruschak

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Trudy Burke (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Jessica Seaman, 5. Helen Petinos, 6. Rachael Soutar, 7. Kendall Johnson. 8. Grace Henry, 9. Keelin Winters, 10. Michelle Carney, 12. Hannah Beard, 14. Demi Koulizakis, 15. Rhianna Pollicina, 16. Linda O’Neill, 19. Chloe O’Brien, 20. Sham Khamis (gk)

Ins: Kendall Johnson (Sky Blue FC/USA), Linda O’Neill (returns from abroad)

Outs: Jordan Baker, Tia Gavin (both omitted)

Unavailable:  Caitlin Jarvie (injury – 3 weeks)

Sydney FC squad: 1. Casey Dumont (gk), 2. Teresa Polias, 3. Elizabeth Ralston, 4. Alesha Clifford, 5. Jasmyne Spencer, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 7. Nicola Bolger, 8. Amy Harrison, 9. Ellyse Perry, 10. Renee Rollason, 11. Natalie Tobin, 12. Chloe Logarzo, 13. Trudy Camilleri, 16. Samantha Johnson, 18. Heidi Makrillos, 20. Alyssa Harris (gk)

Ins: Elizabeth Ralston (promoted), Trudy Camilleri, Ellyse Perry (both return from injury)

Outs: Teigen Allen (suspended – one week), Olivia Price (quad – one week)

Unavailable:  Kyah Simon (knee – four weeks)