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Traditional rivals Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar lock horns again in a 2v3 clash on ABC TV.

It has been a hectic schedule for Sydney FC. A midweek catch-up game saw Sydney facing Western Sydney Wanderers four days after playing the Jets away.

The derby proved a shaky 4-3 win for the Sky Blues, the home side fortunate to escape with 3 points after conceding three late goals.

Meanwhile Brisbane Roar have continued their strong run leading in to the latter half of the season with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory on Queensland soil.

The Roar staying undeafeated since their tough Round 5 loss to Adelaide United.

Sydney FC have been opening games with a bang applying pressure over the first 30 mins and the Wanderers got a taste of this intensity.

The talent and pace of Sam Kerr shone as she had a hand in three goals; scoring one, producing an own goal from a shot and nutmegging a defender drawing a foul in the penalty area.

The Sky Blues flaunted their wealth of attacking options with both Teresa Polias and Renee Rollason hitting the woodwork, and Nicola Bolger also scoring after neat play with Jodie Taylor.

However complacency remains a problem when Sydney become dominant as they tend to look for a fancy finish rather than just netting the ball.

Brisbane Roar have been quietly brewing over the season and expect a big finish from the W-League powerhouse.

The combination of in-form Matildas’ duo Katrina Gorry and Tameka Butt and the rapid fire legs of Hayley Raso resulted in two goals against Perth Glory.

Roar attacking midfielder Joanne Burgess also making waves taking shots from distance to trouble the Glory goalkeeper and also working in the midfield to build up play.

It feels like a cliché statement but a key player for Sydney FC this weekend will be Sam Kerr.

Kerr appears to be back in fighting form and, with Renee Rollason pushing further up the park and hitting solid free kicks, this Sydney team will be dangerous across the pitch.

Always an interesting Starting XI, Sydney  have rotated the rightback position with forward Chloe Logarzo filling in the gap with help from Bolger and Polias.

It is a case of expect the unexpected when it comes to Sydney FC positions as long as the flexible Alen Stajcic is at the helm.

Brisbane Roar see the return of German National Team goalkeeper, Nadine Angerer who was occupied during the week picking up a FIFA Ballon d’Or.

Angerer is the first in her position to earn the honour of World Player of the Year and her safe hands are likely to dominate proceedings against old rivals Sydney.

Angerer’s presence and professionalism will push Roar even further as they ride the high of their teammate’s epic achievement.

As the regular season starts to melt away there are hefty decisions to be made for coaching staff on who to rest and play.

Stajcic decided to bench key player’s leading into the weekend’s match against Roar placing seasoned goalkeeper Casey Dumont on the sidelines in preparation but tired Sydney legs are a concern.

Sydney and Brisbane last fought it out in a tightly contested 1-1 draw just before the holiday break. Sydney getting on the scoreboard early but unable to hold their lead as Roar equalised late in the game.

Sydney FC and Roar both come into this match in strong form with good depth. A history of controversial heated matches means this game will most certainly come down to the wire.

Head to Head: Played 14, Sydney 4, Brisbane 7, Draw 3

Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar

Sunday 19 January 2014

Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney

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) 

Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont (gk), Alesha Clifford, Danielle Brogan (c), Amy Harrison, Caitlin Foord, Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Renee Rollason, Jodie Taylor, Emma Kete, Leena Khamis, Trudy Camilleri, Sam Kerr, Chloe Logarzo Sham Khamis (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Liz Ralston (promoted)

Unavailable: Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments), Anna Green (Achilles – four weeks), Natalie Tobin (illness – four weeks)

Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Nadine ANGERER (gk), 2.Laura ALLEWAY, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5.Brooke SPENCE, 6.Joanne BURGESS, 7.Kim CARROLL, 8.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9.Larissa CRUMMER, 10.Katrina GORRY, 11.Vedrana POPOVIC, 13.Tameka BUTT, 14.Natasha WHEELER, 16.Hayley RASO, 17.Emily GIELNIK, 19.Ayesha NORRIE, 20.Kate STEWART (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Nadine Angerer (FIFA Ballon d’Or Awards), Clare Polkinghorne (returns from injury)

Outs: Teagan Micah (replacement player)

Unavailable: Amy Chapman (knee - season)