Preview: Brisbane Roar vs. Sydney FC - prediction, team news, lineups

Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC square off in the A-League on Saturday having already booked their place in the Finals Series.

While Sydney have already guaranteed second spot in the regular standings, the home side still require a victory to secure third position.

Match preview

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Having witnessed his side record four successive victories, Sydney FC boss Steve Corica has some leeway when it comes to his team selection at the weekend.

Nevertheless, the former midfielder will want his players to generate even more momentum as they look to prevail in the Finals Series, potentially having to overcome long-time leaders Melbourne City.

Just one defeat has been posted in 12 outings, away at Western Sydney Wanderers at the beginning of May, and that disappointment acted as the catalyst for the team's best streak of the season.

The return of Adam Le Fondre has proven key with the veteran forward delivering three goals from his four outings during May.

Bobo has also rediscovered his touch in the final third with goals in three successive fixtures, and Sydney will need both players firing on all cylinders over the coming weeks.

Coincidentally, Brisbane's only defeat in four matches also came against Western Sydney, a team who have already missed out on a place in the top six.

However, wins from their other three encounters have ensured that Warren Moon's outfit could finish in third spot, a significant improvement on last season's ninth position.

A 3-0 triumph over already-crowned champions Melbourne City is the stand-out result, but an eight-match unbeaten streak at home is what has moved Roar into their current position.

While midfielder Jay O'Shea has chipped in with three crucial goals in recent weeks, Moon will be more satisfied with top goalscorer Riku Danzaki returning to form with two strikes in three outings.

Team News

Roar duo Alex Parsons and Jesse Daley will both be in line for starting roles if Moon opts to rest any of his key players.

Teenager Jordan Courtney-Perkins should retain his spot in a back three after impressing in recent games, but Hassan Ramazani is likely to remain among the replacements.

Either Le Fondre or Bobo could drop down to the Sydney substitutes' bench for this contest, allowing 18-year-old Patrick Wood to make his fifth start of the campaign.

Thirty-six-year-old Alex Wilkinson, an ever-present this season, may be given a game off with Ben Warland coming into the defence.

Paulo Retre, Harry Van der Saag and Luke Ivanovic are also pushing for opportunities.

Brisbane Roar possible starting lineup:

Young; Neville, Trewin, Courtney-Perkins; Brindell-South, Akbari, Daley, Brown; Parsons, Wenzel-Halls, Champness

Sydney FC possible starting lineup:

Redmayne; Grant, McGowan, Warland, King; Ivanovic, Retre, Cacares, Ninkovic; Le Fondre, Wood

We say: Brisbane Roar 1-1 Sydney FC

With bigger things to come for both teams, do not expect the most thrilling of contests this weekend. Even though Sydney may play a weakened side, the visitors could still earn a share of the spoils.