Credit: Eric Berry Credit: Eric Berry

Round 8 sees Western Sydney Wanderers travel to Burton Park on Saturday to take on Adelaide United.

Adelaide United is sure to be still on a high after their historic win in Round 7 over Canberra United.

The Lady Reds took to the field last week in blustery conditions and defeated Canberra 2 – 0 with goals to Lisa Marie Woods and a penalty from Racheal Quigley. Canberra United tried to claw their way back in the second half only to be denied anything hitting the back of the net.

The Western Sydney Wanderers travelled to Melbourne hoping to take the three points as they had in their previous two games.  H0wever,  goals in the second half from Melbourne’s young guns, Caitlin Friend and Beatrice Goad proved too much as they went down 2 -0.

The match was quite an even affair early and could have easily gone either way but Melbourne capitalized on their chances and took the points in the end.

Adelaide are looking to demonstrate more of what they are capable of this week and not fall back and relax.

To do this they will need to come out firing as they did last week, riding the momentum and finishing off their chances.

Late goals conceded have troubled them all season and it started when they were a goal up in their last encounter with Western Sydney only to then draw in the dying minutes of the match.

The Lady Reds will be fully conscious of the need to play out the full 90 minutes and have already proved they are able to against Canberra, so anything is possible.

Western Sydney seems to be have slowly overcome their bad run of injuries of late and this week welcome the return of Rachael Soutar and Servet Uzunlar while Linda O’Neill has been cleared to play after being stretchered of last week.

Heather Garriock and Emily Van Egmond will no doubt cause havoc in the middle of the park.  Their battle with Woods and Quigley will be key, although the Adelaide duo look up to the task with Woods continuing to be outstanding each week.

Defensively both sides are evenly matched.

Jenna McCormick, who is also having an amazing year so far, will with the help of her other defenders, Dalia Borg, Alex Gummer and Snez Veljanovska will of course be hoping to help Melissa Barbieri once again come away with a clean slate.  Although the improved performances of Catherine Canulli, O'Neill and Jenna Kingsley will be sure to test them.

Meanwhile Tiarn Powell, Kristy Moore and Jess Waterhouse will have their work cut out for them trying to negotiate around Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Cooper and Teigan Allen.

With so many of these match ups evenly balanced and it will prove to be hard to pick who will be the victor in this tight game between 5th and 6th on the ladder.

Last time these two sides met it ended in a 1-1 draw so both teams will want to come out on top, particularly with a Top 4 spot potentially on the line.

Head to Head: Played 3, Adelaide 1, Western Sydney 1, Draw 1

Adelaide United v Western Sydney Wanderers

Saturday 11 January 2014

Burton Park, Adelaide

Local kick-off: 2.30pm (3pm AEDT)

Adelaide United squad: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 3. Alexandra GUMMER, 5. Jessie WHAREPOURI, 6. Laura STOCKDALE, 7. Rachael QUIGLEY, 8. Emily CONDON, 9. Lisa-Marie WOODS, 10. Monique IANNELLA, 12. Daila TAIS-BORG, 14. Jayah BROWN, 15. Jenna McCORMICK, 16. Jessica WATERHOUSE, 17. Tiarn POWELL, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk), 21. Snez VELJANOVSKA 23. Kristy MOORE (c) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Alexandra Gummer (promoted)

Outs: None

Unavailable: 2. Bianca GRAY (knee - season)

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Shawna Gordon, 5. Emily Van Egmond, 6. Rachael Soutar, 7. Heather Garriock (c), 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)

Ins: Rachael Soutar, Servet Uzunlar (both return from injury)

Outs: Camille Levin (hamstring – one week), Jenna Kingsley (unavailable – one week)

Unavailable: Tori Huster (knee – one week), Kyah Simon (knee - season)