The first of Saturday A-League Round 23 matches is between Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United. The game is set to commence at 5.30pm with the game to be played at Pirtek Stadium. Home team Western Sydney Wanderers go into the match as the favourites in the market. View our live scores and teams for the game between Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United.

Round: Round 23, Saturday, March 15 at 5.30pm AEDT.
Stadium: Pirtek Stadium
Head to head: Played: 5 – Wanderers 3, Adelaide 2
Previous encounter: Adelaide 1-0 Wanderers, January 19, 2014

Odds Comparison:

Western Sydney Wanderers	2.10	2.20	2.10	2.20	2.10	2.20
Draw	3.40	3.50	3.30	3.50	3.40	3.25
Adelaide United	3.50	3.10	3.30	3.10	3.50	3.25

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

Western Sydney Wanderers take on Adelaide United on Saturday, 5.30pm at Pirtek Stadium.  Despite their heartbreaking recent derby loss last, the Wanderers will be confident after an historic maiden Asian Champions League victory in China.  The Wanderers are currently in second ladder position, and will be keen not to lose here and help hand the Premier’s Plate to rivals Brisbane.

The Wanderers will have lots of fresh players in the line-up, with Ante Covic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Matthew Spiranovic, Shinji Ono, Tomi Juric, and Brendon Santalab all left behind for the ACL clash.  Adelaide did manage to beat the Wanderers in their last clash, however, and will be keen to hang on to their top six spot after a 2-1 loss to Brisbane last week.

Teams:

Western Sydney Wanderers squad:
1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Shannon COLE, 3.Adam D’APUZZO, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP (c), 6.Jerome POLENZ, 7.Labinot HALITI 8.Mateo POLJAK, 9.Tomi JURIC, 10.Aaron MOOY, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 14.Kwabena APPIAH, 17.Youssouf HERSI, 19.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 20.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 21.Shinji ONO, 23.Jason TRIFIRO.
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 9.Tomi JURIC (promoted), 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC (international duty), 14.Kwabena APPIAH (promoted), 23.Jason TRIFIRO (promoted)
Outs: 19.Mark BRIDGE (omitted), 34.Golgol MEBRAHTU ( knee – TBC)
Unavailable: 12.Tahj MINNIECON (ankle – indefinite)

Adelaide United squad:
1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) (c), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Jon McKAIN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.JERONIMO, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Bruce DJITE, 14.Cameron WATSON, 17.Awer MABIL, 18.Michael ZULLO,19.Jake BARKER-DAISH, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Jordan ELSEY
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 11.Bruce DJITE (promoted), 19.Jake BARKER-DAISH (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 6.CASSIO (hamstring tendon – indefinite), 31.Ryan GRIFFITHS (transfer to Sarawak)

In the news:

A fortnight ago Awer Mabil was dancing in the corner of Coopers Stadium before being embraced by his teammates. He had just scored an injury-time goal to put an exclamation point on Adelaide United’s dominant win over Wellington.

Today he had good reason to be dancing again with confirmation he had received an international clearance to represent Australia. For the 18-year-old midfielder of Kenyan decent the news was met with great elation and he is proud to now officially be able to represent his nominated homeland.

“I was buzzing when I heard the news,” said Mabil. “It’s hard to describe the feeling.

“It’s like the feeling you get when you score a goal but it hasn’t left me.

“I’ve obviously wanted to play for Australia since I’ve come here so I’m really proud and thankful to everyone who has made this happen.”

Having been born to Sudanese parents in Kenya, Mabil spent his childhood in a refugee camp and in 2006 at the age of 11, Mabil and his family were granted visas to seek asylum in Australia.
Having been inspired by the Socceroos performance at the World Cup in Germany that year he began playing football.

Mabil’s dynamic acceleration and agility were apparent from an early age and he experienced an exponential rise to State football in South Australia before being signed by Adelaide United in 2012.

He spent the majority of last season playing in the National Youth League and capped a stunning season by being named player of the year, while also making his A-League debut.

This campaign Mabil has made 17 appearances for the Reds, netting twice against the Phoenix. The livewire midfielder is loving his football and the opportunity he’s been given.

“The new system we’ve been playing this season is amazing and to be included in the squad has been a big thrill.

“I really appreciate being given the opportunity and just try my best to help the team every week.”

Despite his newly announced status Mabil is not getting ahead of himself in terms of where his football journey may take him next.

“I just want to keep working hard and doing well for my club,” he said. I want to represent Australia at the U/20 World Cup next year but it doesn’t work like that.

“Hopefully if I do well for my club I can earn my spot.”

Mabil, who lives in Adelaide with his mother, three brothers and sister, is hopeful he will be able to share another high with his family and teammates this year.

“As a team we are just focused on playing our football,” he said. “Everyone wants to be in the finals but we’ve just got to continue to play our football and we’re confident we’ll be there.

Having spent endless hours travelling to and from training using public transport Mabil drew great satisfaction from the progress he has made with his football but remains modest of his achievements.

“I just want to do my best and do my family proud,” he said.

“I call this place my home and it’s a privilege.”

 Source: www.footballaustralia.com.au