Round 3: Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar Preview

Looking to jump up the ladder, the Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar meet in what could already be a season defining match for these two sides.

The Wanderers are still searching for their first win of season 2013/14 after they were overpowered by Canberra United in Round 2.  A strong performance from the United midfield and forwards, in particular Lori Lindsey, Michelle Heyman and Kendall Fletcher, put the Wanderers under pressure with the home side running out comfortable 2-0 winners.

Brisbane Roar bounced back from their own loss to Canberra with a strong 3-0 away win against Perth Glory.  Tameka Butt opened the scoring and goals from Clare Polkinghorne and Amy Chapman at regular intervals ensured that the pre-season favourites would take home their first three points of the season.

As with Round 3 last season, this is a must win game for the Wanderers if they are not to fall too far behind the front pack.  Matildas midfielder Emily Van Egmond rises as a crucial player in this match and it will be her duel with Matildas teammate Katrina Gorry that could prove the difference.  However, she will require greater pro-active assistance from Linda O’Neil, Shawna Gordon and co and they will require Catherine Cannuli, Jenna Kingsley and Michelle Carney to convert a high percentage of their chances.

Defensively Dimi Poulos, Caitlin Cooper and Teigen Allen have been strong under constant attack.  They will be helped by the arrival of US U23 captain and defender Camille Levin and they will be required to be strong against a potent Brisbane Roar forward line.

[More: US U23 captain Camille Levin joins Western Sydney]

For the Roar it's all about how this Matildas strong squad will recover for their third match in a seven days.  Belinda Wilson's squad depth and rotation will be tested but they have the side to contend with this. Defensively the Roar will be a difficult unit for Wanderers to break down with the Matildas back line of Kim Carroll, Laura Alleway, Clare Polkinghorne and Elise Kellond-Knight in front of Nadine Angerer.

Going forward is an equally daunting task as, for club and country, Katrina Gorry continues to build her reputation as the foundation of a side.  Her distribution to the strike force of Tameka Butt, Amy Chapman and Hayley Raso will go a long way to the Roar taking the points.

The last time these two sides met Brisbane Roar jumped the Wanderers early with goals from Tameka Butt and Emily Gielnik. Despite a Louise Fors second half goal, it wasn't enough as Brisbane held on for a 2-1 win.

Head to Head: Western Sydney 1, Brisbane 1

Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar

Sunday 1 December 2013

Marconi Stadium, Sydney

Local kick-off: 3pm

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Shawna Gordon, 5. Emily Van Egmond (C), 6. Rachael Soutar, 9. Jenna Kingsley, 11. Michelle Carney, 12. Jessica Seaman, 13. Catherine Cannuli, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Linda O’Neill, 18. Helen Petinos, 20. Georgia Rowntree (GK), 22. Dimi Poulos (GK), 23. Renee Tomkins

Ins: Renee Tomkins (Marconi Stallions)

Outs: Tori Huster (knee) Jordan Baker (injured)

Unavailable: Mackenzie Arnold (gk) (injured), Heather Garriock (injured), Tori Huster (knee), Servet Uzunlar (awaiting international clearance), Alanna Kennedy (injured), Kyah Simon (knee - season)

Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Nadine ANGERER (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 12. Erika ELZE, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 15. Brooke GOODRICH, 16. Hayley RASO, 18. Sunny FRANCO, 19. Ayesha NORRIE, 20. Kate STEWART (gk) (four to be omitted)

Ins: Joanne BURGESS, Erika ELZE, Sunny FRANCO, Brooke GOODRICH (all promoted)

Unavailable: Emily GIELNIK (injured)