Perth Glory welcome Macarthur to HBF Park in the latest round of A-League matches on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are 10th in the table, but still only three points off the top six, while the visitors are one place higher, in ninth, having picked up one extra point.
Match preview
Perth finished bottom of the A-League table in the 2021-22 campaign, managing to acquire just 18 points in 26 games, so this season has already been an improvement, regardless of whether they are able to make a late push for the playoffs.
The main problem for the Glory last season was their record in front of goal, scoring just 20 in the entire campaign, but they have already managed to score 28 in their 21 matches so far this term.
Ruben Zadkovich's side have also been very impressive at home, which bodes well heading into Saturday's game, picking up 19 points at HBF Park, the sixth-best record in the division, having also played one fewer game than two of the sides above them.
That said, away form has been a real problem for Perth, winning just once on their travels all season, with that coming all the way back in October, in a 2-1 win at Central Coast Mariners, and that record will have to improve if they are to make a late playoff push.
Last time out, the Glory looked to be heading towards another defeat on the road, trailing at Newcastle Jets until Ryan Williams struck a 97th-minute equaliser to level the game up at 2-2, gaining what could prove to be a very important point.
Macarthur have also struggled on their travels for the vast majority of the season, picking up just eight points, the joint-fewest of any A-League side, failing to win away in the entirety of 2023.
A very poor defensive record has also cost the Bulls, conceding 39 goals in 21 games, by far and away the most of any side in the division, largely due to the fact they have let in 14 goals in their last three away matches.
It was a decent start to the campaign for the side now managed by Mile Sterjovski, picking up 17 points in their first 11 games, but their form has really tailed off since the departure of former boss Dwight Yorke.
In their last 10 matches, Macarthur have picked up just two victories, one of which came at home against a struggling Brisbane Roar side, but they managed to prove they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with one of the better sides in the division last time out.
The Bulls put in a much-improved performance against league-leaders Melbourne City, picking up what could be a valuable point as we approach the tail end of the season, now sitting just two points off the all-important top six.
Team News
Perth Glory youth product Trent Ostler impressed last time out, scoring just his second professional goal for the club, and the 20-year-old is likely to keep his spot on the right of midfield, in what should be a 4-4-1-1 system.
Striker Adam Taggart has not been prolific since rejoining the Glory back in December, failing to score in his last seven matches, but Zadkovich is very limited on numbers in attack, so the 29-year-old is likely to keep his place in the team.
Winger Adrian Sardinero has missed the entirety of the season with an Achilles issue, while goalkeeper Brad Jones is another long-term absentee, having been suffering with cartilage damage since last April.
There were some very positive signs for Macarthur last time out, managing to hold the league leaders to a draw, so Sterjovski is likely to stick with the same starting lineup on Saturday.
Daniel Arzani will be unavailable due to injury, as will Bachana Arabuli and captain Ulises Davila, but winger Craig Noone is back in contention after a three-game suspension.
Perth Glory possible starting lineup:
Cook; Koutroumbis, Lachman, Beevers, Clisby; Ostler, McEneff, Bodnar, Jelacic, Williams; Taggart
Macarthur possible starting lineup:
Kurto; Millar, Uskok, Aspropotamitis, Vujica; Hollman, Skotadis, Baccus, De Silva; Romero, Toure
We say: Perth Glory 1-0 Macarthur
Perth Glory have been very solid at home all season, defeating third-placed Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 in their last match at HBF Park, and they should be able to eke out a narrow victory on Saturday.
Macarthur showed signs of improvement in the 1-1 draw against Melbourne City last time out, but their form has otherwise been patchy in recent weeks, and it is too early to say they have turned the corner.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Dominic Lund
