Friday’s A-League 2016 Round 7 match is between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City. The opening kick off is set to commence at 19:45 local time with the game to be played at Spotless Stadium. The away team Melbourne City are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City.
Despite recent results, the Wanderers have produced some of the best football in the A-League so far this season.
It seems they’re finding every conceivable way not to win by conceding soft goal after soft goal and not converting their superiority into goals.
Add to that a decision or two not going their way and they find themselves in 7th position on 6 points when should easily be in the top four.
While the lack of chance conversion is still a problem, it’s defensively where they’re really struggling.
Tony Popovic hasn’t been able to settle on a consistent back four and must be frustrated with the way goals are conceded. The first two goals against Victory on Saturday being a perfect example.
Things won’t get any easier this week with Bruno Fornaroli (pictured above) and co making their way to Wanderland.
City have shown some inconsistency again this season but always follow a below par performance with an impressive response, like Thursdays win over the Jets.
If City can work on becoming more consistent, they should be fighting Sydney for top spot at the top of the A-League ladder and Fornaroli looks to again be the man to guide them there.
His two goals against Jets were exceptional, showing he’s deadly with both feet and his head and causes defenders headaches off the ball as well.
Expect to see a fast paced attacking game of football with a few goals
KEY BATTLE: Aritz Borda v Bruno Fornaroli
Bruno bagged another two goals against the Jets and has continued where he left off last season.
He now has four goals this season and will set his sights on punishing the Wanderers backline.
Looking to stop him will be the Spaniard Borda hoping to help secure the first clean sheet of the season.
The verdict
Wanderers also have the ability to bounce back from a bad result and their good football will be rewarded in this one.
Unibet Odds: Western Sydney 2.80 Draw 3.60 Melbourne City 2.42
Tip: Melbourne City
Teams:
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 3.Jack CLISBY, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 7.Steve LUSTICA, 8.Dimas (c), 9.Kerem BULUT, 10.Nicolás MARTÍNEZ, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Bruno PIÑATARES, 14.Jumpei KUSUKAMI, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.Artiz BORDA, 18.Robbie CORNTHWAITE, 20.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 23.Lachlan SCOTT.
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Thomas SORENSEN (gk), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 3.Josh ROSE, 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Osama MALIK, 8.Neil KILKENNY, 10.Anthony CACERES, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 12.Nick FITZGERALD, 14.Daniel ARZANI, 17.Tim CAHILL, 18.Paulo RETRE, 20.Dean BOUZANIS (gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI (c), 26.Luke BRATTAN, 27.Fernando BRANDAN.
