S10: Round 7 Preview

Heading into the back half of Season 10, every team is still in contention for the W-League finals and this week again holds critical and fascinating match-ups that will shape the final outcome.

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United 

Photo: Adam Butler

Last week Melbourne Victory were drenched by Sydney FC, going down 2-0. Adelaide kept up their high conversion rate and Mautz’s equaliser was enough to deliver a 1-1 draw against Melbourne City.

This is a do or die match for both teams who are sitting afoot the W-League ladder on 4 points each. These teams have been rivals since the conception of the league, and have strong leaders across the park who will be urging their charges to lift in Round 7.

United will need to use the defensive disciple they showed last week against City to nullify Dowie and Spiranovic, while finding a way to press forward in their own right.

With two of the lowest goals scored totals, both teams are struggling to find fluidity in the front third.  This will be the key to the match, whether they can feed their strikers who have been starved for opportunities of late.

Player to watch: Natasha Dowie, just one goal from becoming Melbourne Victory’s all time leading goal scorer, will be keen to captain her side to victory on a day of celebration and reunion for original members of the first Melbourne Victory team who will be at the match.

Last time they met: The teams last met in round one of last season where the match ended in a 3-3 draw.

Head to Head:  Played 14 | 11 wins (MVC) | 2 wins (ADL) | 1 Draw

DETAILS

Saturday, 9 December 2017

Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne

Kick-Off: 4:30pm (Local) (4:30pm (AEDT))

Referee: Rachel Mitchenson

Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC 

Photo: Ann Odong

Sydney FC made it two in a row against Melbourne Victory with a comfortable 2-0 win.  While the Wanderers would have been disappointed not to come away with at least a point in their 1-0 loss to Perth Glory.

After a slow start to the season, Sydney FC look to be finding their feet, particularly up front.  The movement from the front third of De Vanna, Ibini and Siemsen has created some excellent goalscoring chances, especially with Polias and Logarzo beginning to find their midfield cohesion.

For the Wanderers, their strong defensive performances have kept them in many matches with the midfield also more than holding their own against opposition.  However, the forwardline is where the frustration is for Wanderers fans with just four goals scored this season - equal lowest in the league.

Player to watch: On her return to Sydney FC Chloe Logarzo is finding her place in the side again and the past two matches have demonstrated all the best qualities of the midfielder

Last time they met: The last Sydney Derby saw the Wanderers take an early lead through Katie Stengel before Alanna Kennedy and a Kyah Simon penalty completed the 2-1 Sydney FC comeback. 

Head to Head:  Played 10 | 1 wins (WSW) | 8 wins (SYD) | 1 Draw

DETAILS

Saturday, 9 December 2017

ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

Kick-Off: 5:00pm (Local) (5:00pm (AEDT))

Referee: Kelly Jones

Melbourne City v Canberra United

Photo: Rachel Bach

Both teams were disappointed in last week’s results after Canberra finished 1-0 down to Brisbane Roar at home and City took a point in their 1-1 match against Adelaide United.

This stalled both teams in their race to claim top spot, and 3 points this week in the tv round, is important for both sides in the back half of the season.

City find themselves in unfamiliar territory outside of the top four but have showed good signs and scored some ridiculous goals. Canberra combined well against Perth Glory through new imports Kopmeyer, Bassett, through to Sykes and Thorsnes, but that style was missing against Roar last week.

Canberra will be missing co-captain Ash Sykes and her loss may be keenly felt in the front half where Sykes has been the catalyst for a lot of the attack.  While City will be at close to full strength and with their ability to create significant chances, this could be a real test of Canberra's defensive resilience.

This is becoming a rivalry for the ages, as United inflicted City’s first ever loss at the start of last season, and City upset Canberra’s apple cart at home in a very tight semi-final. This is set to be another battle.

Player to watch: English veteran Laura Bassett has quickly become an intriguing linchpin in the Canberra United line-up. Her high workrate is matched by her tangible efforts to support those around her and win every stray ball. Bassett is a player you want on your side in a tight matchup like this.

Last time they met: Melbourne City beat Canberra United in extra time in the 2016-17 semi-final at Canberra Stadium. The match was surrounded in controversy at the time due to decisions about match venue and playing time, and an onfield incident that saw Lisa De Vanna (playing for Canberra at the time) suspended. Both teams have had high turnover since then, but the memories in those who won and lost will no doubt remain.

Head to Head:  Played 4 | 1 win (CBR) | 3 wins (MCY)

DETAILS

Sunday, 10 December 2017

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Kick-Off: 4:30pm (Local) (4:30pm (AEDT))

Referee: Rebecca Durcau

TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 4:00pm (AEDT) and SBS VICELAND from 4:00pm (AEDT)

Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets 

Brisbane Roar beat Canberra United 1-0 while Newcastle Jets are coming off the bye after beating Adelaide United.

With Roar in equal first and the Jets in equal third, this will be a fascinating match that fans across the W-League will be glued to.

Roar were excellent against United and could have inflicted more damage on the scoreboard. We can expect the Jets to apply a lot more pressure than the unusually stand-offish United, and enforce more errors from the Roar given they should have fresh legs after the bye round.

Player to watch: There is no one particular player but the Brisbane Roar defence have quietly gone about their business this season. Led by Matildas Clare Polkinghorne and Mackenzie Arnold, the Roar defence have proved difficult to breach conceding just 5 goals so far this season (4 against Perth alone) - the lowest on the W-League.  It will be a tough ask for Newcastle to find a way through this weekend.

Last time they met: Own goal, Arnold sent off, penalty save.  There was controversy and action aplenty the last time they met in Newcastle's 2-1 win.

Head to Head:  Played 13 | 7 wins (BRI) | 4 wins (NEW) | 2 Draws

DETAILS

Sunday, 10 December 2017

AJ Kelly Park, Kippa Ring

Kick-Off: 4:30pm (Local) (5:30pm (AEDT))

Referee: Casey Reibelt

Bye: Perth Glory