Western United will be hoping to keep themselves off the foot of the A-League table this weekend when they host Sydney FC in their latest fixture.
The hosts are struggling for form at the moment, meanwhile, the visitors head into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw in their previous outing.
Match preview
Western United are just a single point above the bottom of the table right now, adding plenty of pressure into this fixture with Melbourne Victory placing pressure on them.
The Western Service Crew have failed to win in their previous three matches, adding further pressure even though two of those games did finish in draws.
The most recent of those took place last Sunday against Newcastle Jets, and the point was a good result despite the fact that Lachlan Wales had given his team the lead.
Western United had to battle through toward the end of the game though after Jacob Tratt was sent off, making life difficult for his teammates.
John Aloisi will take confidence that his team have been performing better at home throughout this season, though, losing only two of their seven games so far.
That is something that the visitors will need to work hard to overcome, but Sydney FC have scored more goals than any other team in the division on the road throughout this campaign.
The attacking qualities of Steve Corica's men is something that will be on full display this Saturday, especially since Western United have conceded more than any other team this season.
Sydney FC showcased the threat that they bring this past weekend when they scored twice against Perth Glory with goals from Joe Lolley and Rhyan Grant.
However, Corica was left frustrated on the touchline as his team were not able to hang on to their lead as they conceded a 92nd-minute equaliser.
The draw left the team eighth in the A-League, and that is something they want to put behind them as a victory could push them up to fourth.
Team News
The hosts are going to be without Tratt on Saturday after he was sent off in their most recent performance which will force at least a single change to the starting lineup this time around.
Christian Theoharous is another player the Western Service Crew will be without as the club has mutually agreed to cancel his contract.
Dylan Pierias was rewarded for his recent impressive substitute appearance by starting last week, and he could retain his place while the club will be hoping that Ben Garuccio is fit enough to return to the team.
Lolley's attacking qualities will be called upon again by the visitors this weekend, especially after getting on the scoresheet last time out.
Patrick Yazbek is going to be unavailable this time though due to concussion protocols, as his return will be possible from the next fixture.
Western United possible starting lineup:
Young; Garuccio, Imai, Lacroix, Risdon; Doumbia, Kilkenny, Wales, Milanovic; Pierias; Prijovic
Sydney FC possible starting lineup:
Redmayne; Grant, Donachie, Rodwell, Caballo; Burgess, Retre, Caceres, Brattan, Mak; Le Fondre
We say: Western United 1-2 Sydney FC
Western United have been strong at home so far this season, and despite the league position that should lead to them putting up a tough test for the visitors.
Despite that, Sydney FC should be the favourites to take all three points here due to their attacking qualities.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
