The second game on Sunday for A-League Round 16 is between Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory. The opening kick-off is set to commence at 7:00pm with the game to be played at Pirtek Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Western Sydney Wanderers. View our preview and teams for the game between Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory.
Round: Round 16, Sunday, 26 January 2014, 7:00pm local (7:00pm AEDT)
Stadium: Pirtek Stadium
Head to head: Played: 3 Wins: Wanderers 2, Glory 0, Draws: 1
Previous encounter: Wanderers 1-0 Glory, February 23, 2013
Western Sydney Wanderers $1.57 vs Perth Glory $6.00 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Western Sydney Wanderers $1.56 vs Perth Glory $5.25 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison:
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| Western Sydney Wanderers | 1.57 | 1.60 | 1.56 | 1.60 | 1.57 | 1.57 |
| Draw | 4.20 | 3.75 | 4.00 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.60 |
| Perth Glory | 6.00 | 5.85 | 5.25 | 5.85 | 6.50 | 6.00 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Teams:
Western Sydney Wanderers Squad:
1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Shannon COLE, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP (c), 7.Labinot HALITI, 10.Aaron MOOY, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Tahj MINNIECON, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 14.Kwabena APPIAH, 17.Youssouf HERSI, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Jerrad TYSON (gk) , 21.Shinji ONO, 22.Dean HEFFERNAN, 23.Jason TRIFIRO
Ins: 12.Tahj MINNIECON, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 14.Kwabena APPIAH (all promoted)
Outs: 28.Alusine FOFANAH, 32.Daniel ALESSI
Unavailable:3.Adam D’APUZZO (suspension – 1 week), 9.Tomi JURIC (suspension – 1 week), 18.Iacopo LA ROCCA (injured – 2 weeks)
Perth Glory Squad:
1.Daniel VUKOVIC (GK), 2.Jack CLISBY, 6.Cameron EDWARDS, 7.Jacob BURNS, 8.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Jamie MACLAREN, 11.Adrian ZAHRA, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Isaka CERNAK, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA MORAES, 17.Chris HAROLD, 18.Jack DUNCAN (gk), 19.Josh RISDON, 23.Michael THWAITE, 24.Matthew DAVIES, 25.Riley WOODCOCK, 36.William GALLAS
**Two to be omitted **
Ins: 10.Jamie MACLAREN (returns from injury), 8. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC (Subject to FFA Approval), 18.Jack DUNCAN (returns from International Duty)
Outs: 39.Luke RADONICH (GK)
Unavailable: Travis DODD (knee – indefinite), Scott JAMIESON (achilles – indefinite)
Preview:
Form:
Past five matches:
Wanderers: LLWLD
Glory: DWWLD
The Game:
Due to a quirk in the A-League draw this clash is the first time these two sides will meet this season, despite being more than halfway through the campaign. And it’s a vital game for both sides who are in contrasting form.
The Wanderers are enduring their worst run in the club’s history, slumping to three losses from their last four games – including last weekend’s limp 1-0 defeat to Adelaide – to lose ground with leaders Brisbane.
Injuries have played a part in their dip, with the likes of Jerome Polenz, Mateo Poljak and Iacopo La Rocca all sidelined.
Coach Tony Popovic has another problem this weekend with young striker Tomi Juric out suspended, with either Labinot Haliti or Brendan Santalab expected to lead the attack.
In contrast the Glory continue to pick up points under new boss Kenny Lowe, holding a 10-man Roar outfit to a hard-earned 0-0 draw in their last outing.
Lowe seems to have got the mix right between the club’s emerging talent and experienced crop and Perth are playing with a newfound resolve and confidence which makes them a dangerous opponent.
Marquee man William Gallas got through 45 minutes in his return from injury last weekend and will be hopeful of giving a bit more this week while star striker Shane Smeltz could also be ready for a starting berth.
The two sides have played just three times with the Glory still searching for their first win.
The big issue:
Wanderers – Squad rotation. Popovic’s tendency to make mass changes to his side from week-to-week has been a topic of hot conversation now the Wanderers are starting to lose a few games.
While injuries haven’t helped their cause of late, the Western Sydney boss has yet to pick the same XI in back-to-back games this season.
While he is eager to keep his side as fresh as possible ahead of the finals and an ACL campaign, the constant chopping and changing can’t be good for team cohesion.
Glory – Improving their away form. The Glory have built their recent resurgence on some impressive results in front of their away fans but if they are to lock-up a top six berth, will need to do similar on the road.
Perth seem to be a different side whenever they travel across the Nullarbor and have managed just one win away from nib Stadium so far this campaign.
There’s no more hostile road trip in the A-League than the Wanderers and their amazing support so this will be a huge test for the Glory and their away woes.
The game breaker:
Youssouf Hersi – The Dutch winger has again been a model of consistency this season, continuing to look the Wanderers most dangerous player even during their lean patch.
His pace and tireless running is a huge advantage for Western Sydney and his service down the right will be vital if the home side are to get all three points here.
Surprisingly, the Wanderers have yet to tie him down for next season but if he continues his outstanding performances it can’t be long until Hersi gets a new and improved contract.
Source: www.footballaustralia.com.au