Passing the halfway point of the W-league season Sydney-siders will rejoice to hear that the Sydney Derby is back again.

Last round saw Sydney FC befell their first loss of the season with a narrow 1-0 loss to ladder leaders Perth Glory away.

Meanwhile Western Sydney Wanderers started strong, leading for 15mins, before a second half goal frenzy resulted in a 5-1 loss to Newcastle Jets at home.

Faced with this season's toughest fixture Sydney FC came home empty handed but with heads held high. Sydney conceding just one goal despite no Renee Rollason or Teresa Polias available and the 60th minute injury loss of goalkeeper Casey Dumont.

A strong showing from Alesha Clifford and Lizzie Ralston crucial for Sydney FC to keep Glory out for most of the match.

All in all, the loss was not a dire outcome given the purple swag have been annihilating teams and Sydney were not at their strongest. A kind turn of events also sees the Sky Blue side maintain 2nd place on the table.

The Wanderers looked to have regained their mojo going up early against a pressing Jets side but were well and truly trumped in the second half.

Wanderers suffering another heavy loss despite the continued efforts of goalscorer Michelle Carney. A familiar and concerning pattern emerging.

Sitting in last place with a whooping 27 goals against, the Western Sydney stats sound worse then the team actually play.

A young side, they lose composure once conceding a few and end up conceding many. With power upfront and in the midfield, the Wanderers are top heavy and the pressure falls often to experienced centreback Caitlin Cooper to manage a youthful backline.

It is not all doom and gloom for the Wanderers. They battled out a solid win against an out-of-form but talent-laden Brisbane Roar showing they are capable of overcoming giants.

The key players to watch for Sydney FC will be the usual suspects of US super striker Jasmyne Spencer, defender Teigen Allen and midfielder Polias.

Spencer is clever and lively but needs to work better in combination play with Nicola Bolger and Amy Harrison.

Keep a keen eye on Harrison as she scored in this reverse fixture and will be looking to open the floodgates.

Sydney a quieter more reserved team compared to last season tend to be matching the pace of their opposition leaving them vulnerable to Wanderers efforts.

Wanderers boasting a dangerous attacking crew in midfielder Keelin Winters and upfront in Carney but they will be missing youngsters Jordan Baker who has been called into Young Matildas camp.

The last Sydney Derby saw a record-setting Red and Black crowd pile into Marconi Stadium and the excitement had been building for Sky Blue fans preparing to pack WIN Jubilee.

Unfortunately for Sydney FC, the ground was deemed unplayable and their homeground advantage is lost as they move to Sydney United Sports Centre, a skip and a hop from WandererWomen territory.

Sydney away from home and without league leading 'keeper Dumont out for 6 weeks with a liver laceration sees them shaky.

However the Western Sydney Wanderers must dig deep to overcome the Sky Blue defence who maintain an excellent resolve and a competition win record against their younger neighbours.

A recent controversial A-league Sydney Derby saw Sydney FC comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 which leads these teams nicely into an intense affair.

Be there in-person or watch on ABC1 to see which side paints their colours across the Sydney skyline.

Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers

Sunday 26 October 2014

Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney (new venue)

Local kick-off: 3pm

* Catch all the action Live at 3.00pm nationally on ABC1. Or from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Tuesday.

Sydney FC squad: 21. Sian McLaren (gk), 2. Teresa Polias, 3. Liz Ralston, 4. Alesha Clifford, 5. Jasmyne Spencer, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 7. Nicola Bolger, 8. Amy Harrison, 10. Renee Rollason, 11. Natalie Tobin, 12. Chloe Logarzo, 13. Trudy Camilleri, 14. Olivia Price, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Samantha Johnson, 20. Alyssa Harris (gk)

Ins: Natalie Tobin, Renee Rollason (both return from unavailability), Sian McLaren (new signing)

Outs: Casey Dumont (injury – six weeks), Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments)

Unavailable:  Kyah Simon (knee – one week)

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, 18. Tia Gavin, 20. Sham Khamis (gk)