Sydney FC host Brisbane Roar in Round 8 of the W-League in a crucial encounter for the two sides.

Last week saw Sydney FC notch up their second loss in a row as a muddled performance resulted in a 2-1 loss to neighbours Western Sydney Wanderers. Brisbane Roar faring much worse as they continue their troubled ways the victims of a resounding 4-1 smashing from Newcastle Jets.

Sydney FC started the season on a winning streak but concerns lay on the horizon.

The departure of Coach Alen Stajcic evidently shaking things up for a Staj-ified squad. The apparent growing reliance on striker Jasmyne Spencer also a quiet worry.

The Sky Blues showed vulnerability in depth when a few missing key players such as Casey Dumont and Teresa Polias proved difficult holes to plug.

Suddenly the Sky Blues are back under pressure to secure points.

Roar's problems were mildly unsettling at first but as the season wears on W-league fans find themselves increasingly perturbed.

When will the sleeping lion wake up and eat everyone?

Brisbane have just 1 win from 7 games and the usual suspects Tameka Butt, Katrina Gorry and Elise Kellond-Knight are uncharacteristically quiet.

The pacy aggression of Hayley Raso and efforts of Emily Gielnik are stand-out yet Roar still struggle to score while not maintaining defensive structure.

An added hassle for both sides will be missing youth players such as Roar forwards Sunny Franco and Larissa Crummer and Sydney FC's Amy Harrison, Natalie Tobin and Olivia Price who are on Young Matildas duties.

Historically the Sydney-Brisbane contest was an event of great intensity, drama and folklore.

Football warfare at its finest.

The W-league's own State of Origin.

Recent match-ups however have been sedate in comparison. Their Round 2 meeting saw Sydney victorious 2-1 on Queensland soil but this weekend could see anyone a winner.

Sydney FC may hold a slight advantage but in a season of backwards results, the 3 points are well and truly up for grabs.

Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar

Saturday 1 November 2014

Lambert Park, Sydney

Local kick-off: 5pm

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, 9. Ellyse Perry, 10. Renee Rollason, 12. Chloe Logarzo, 13. Trudy Camilleri, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Samantha Johnson, 18. Heidi Makrillos, 20. Alyssa Harris (gk)

Ins: Teresa Polias (returns from injury), Ellyse Perry (returns from cricket commitments), Heidi Makrillos (promoted)

Outs: Amy Harrison, Natalie Tobin, Olivia Price (all Westfield Young Matildas)

Unavailable:  Casey Dumont (liver – five weeks), Kyah Simon (knee – one week)

Brisbane Roar squad: 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Hayley RASO, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 17. Emily GIELNIK,  19. Ayesha NORRIE, 20. Kate STEWART (gk), 21. Teagan MICAH

Ins: Ayesha Norrie, Natasha Wheeler (both promoted)

Outs: Larissa Crummer, Sunny Franco (both Westfield Young Matildas)

Unavailable: Nadine Angerer (international duty – one week), Angela Beard, Brooke Goodrich (both Westfield Young Matildas)