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The intriguing puzzle that is the W-League continues in a Sunday blockbuster between hosts Canberra United and long time rivals Brisbane Roar that has every pundit scratching their heads about a potential result.

Brisbane and Canberra could not have had a more different build up to the season. The Roar enjoyed having the bulk of their squad together most of the off-season, training together and growing their already strong Queensland bond.

Canberra, in contrast, were scattered around the globe, with five players taking overseas contracts in an effort to strengthen their individual games.

United’s first full squad training session came only a week before their opening round 3-0 thumping of Brisbane Roar, the result causing a splash amongst the football community.

In Round One Canberra’s Michelle Heyman had her scoring boots on, the three US imports Lori Lindsey, Stephanie Ochs and Kendall Fletcher impressed and Lydia Williams returned after spending last season injured, and saved a number of Tameka Butt and Katrina Gorry’s raids on goal.

Since then Brisbane have healed their wounds and enjoyed away victories against Perth Glory 3-0 and Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1, which featured a hat trick to the super in-form Katrina Gorry.

A strong Brisbane contingent of Clare Polkinghorne, Elise Kellond-Knight, Butt, Laura Alleway and Gorry were all central to the recent Matildas’ series defeat of China and Hayley Raso impressed on her return to the senior national team.

On the flip side, Canberra United only had Heyman and Williams earning serious game time for the Matildas as Ashleigh Sykes played the final minutes of the second match win over China and Nicole Sykes was a member of the team but did not take the field.

In addition to the surprise win over Brisbane, Canberra comfortably defeated Western Sydney Wanderers at home in Round Two. Since then, they have enjoyed two weekends break due to the Matildas’ series and the deferred game against Sydney who were committed to the World Club Challenge  in Japan.

The break will have provided coach Liesbeth Migchelsen more time to finesse the discipline and fitness of the side and heal a few minor injuries. A training setback for Sally Shipard is not good news for Canberra, with swelling in her ‘good’ knee ruling Shipard out of this week’s match.

Katrina Gorry is the hottest property in Australian football this year, and Canberra will need to limit her ball running in midfield and shots from outside the 18 yard box to keep a clean sheet.

With Canberra playing a lot of bodies in central midfield this season, Gorry will have to find something special to put a goal past Williams. Raso is likely to get her first start for the season and will prove a handful for a relatively untroubled United defence while  when Polkinghorne sneaks up the park, she can convert the high ball or set piece.

Canberra have their own match winners too. Heyman is combining superbly with Ochs and Lindsey and is shining with her old provider Ash Sykes returned from injury. Nicole Sykes will be keen to rejoin the Canberra team after a week away with the Matildas where she didn’t crack the line up.

With Gorry in form, it will be the likes of Grace Gill, Ellie Brush, and Nicole Sykes who will have to be most on their game this week to shut out a potent Brisbane attack who have momentum on their side.

Canberra’s home crowd advantage will be strengthened this week with the city’s Centenary sporting celebrations concluding with this event. Canberra launched its new brand this week – Confident Bold Ready #CBR – and with Canberra’s early form this season, it’s possible the marketers were describing their football team.

Head to Head: Played 13, Canberra 3, Draw 4, Brisbane 6

Canberra United v Brisbane Roar

Sunday 8 December 2013

McKellar Park, Canberra

Local kick-off: 3pm 

** Catch all the action Live* at 3.00pm on ABC1. Or catch up from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Thursday (*live in AEDT states)

Canberra United squad: Lydia WILLIAMS, Catherine BROWN, Kendall FLETCHER, Caitlin MUNOZ, Ellie BRUSH, Meg McLAUGHLIN, Grace GILL, Michelle HEYMAN, Sally ROJAHN, Nicole SYKES, Ashleigh SYKES, Lori LINDSEY, Jennifer BISSET, Trudy BURKE (gk), Stephanie OCHS

Unavailable: Sally Shipard (knee – one week)

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, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 16. Hayley RASO, 18. Sunny FRANCO, 20. Kate STEWART (gk)

Unavailable: Tameka BUTT (injured), Emily GIELNIK (injured)