Canberra United plays host to Sydney FC in today’s ABC TV1 match at McKellar Stadium at 3:00pm.

This is the first match up between these bitter rivals in Season 7. Last year’s hitouts were the quickest and most exciting matches of the season, featuring end to end goal mouth action and lightning fast exchanges, pin point passes, and last gasp saves.

Canberra took the points in both close matches, the second win handed them the premiership, only to stumble in the following week’s semi final against the Roar.

Canberra battled to a 1-1 draw last week against the Western Sydney Wanderers. An equaliser to Ellie Brush in the final minute of the match allowed United to claw a point from the game. Canberra again played well over the park but failed to convert the majority of their chances.

Caitlin Munoz went close a number of times, Lori Lindsey looked dangerous with the dead ball and Kendall Fletcher made her presence felt in the midfield on the end of a few corners and free kicks. It can’t be too long until Canberra starts converting these clear cut chances into goals, and you sense that when it rains it could pour.

The Sky Blues will be looking to convert more of their chances too. Still holding onto second place, they were written off by some before the season after the departure of Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord to Perth Glory.

While those losses didn’t seem to rattle them in the early stages of the season, they are winless in the past three games and you have to wonder if the departure of long term coach Alen Stajcic, recent injuries to captain Teresa Polias and keeper Casey Dumont, and a number of omissions due to Young Matildas’ selections and Ellyse Perry’s absence through cricket commitments are finally taking their toll.

Last week Sydney managed a draw with the embattled Brisbane Roar, and spoiled a few quality chances before American Jasmyne Spencer pinched the equaliser in the 85th minute with a turn and volley.

Chloe Logarzo will be a playmaker to watch this week while Renee Rollason will be kept busy with the likes of Michelle Heyman and Stephanie Ochs bearing down on the Sky Blue backline.

Another battle royale will be between Teigen Allen and Ashleigh Sykes, both speedy, full of attitude, and staking claims for positions in next year’s Women’s World Cup for the Matildas.

While both combatants remain well in the race, sitting in 2nd and 3rd positions at the time of writing, more convincing results are required from both teams if they are to intimidate their opposition in the lead up to the finals.

With that motivation, I’m predicting a blowout score for one team, or a draw. This football tipping caper is a breeze…

Canberra United v Sydney FC

Sunday 9 November 2014

McKellar Park, Canberra

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.

Canberra United squad: 1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Grace MAHER, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 20. Melissa MAIZELS (gk), 22. Stephanie OCHS

Ins: Grace Gill (promoted)

Unavailable: Meg McLAUGHLIN (knee - season)

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, 10. Renee Rollason, 12. Chloe Logarzo, 13. Trudy Camilleri, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Samantha Johnson, 18. Heidi Makrillos, 20. Alyssa Harris (gk), 22. Melissa Caceres, 23. Georgia Plessas

Ins: Trudy Camilleri (promoted)

Unavailable:  Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments), Kyah Simon (knee – one week), Casey Dumont (liver – four weeks), Amy Harrison, Natalie Tobin, Olivia Price (all Westfield Young Matildas)