The first of Saturday A-League Round 8 matches is between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Heart. 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 preview and teams for the game between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Heart.

Round: A-League Round 9, Saturday December 7 at 5.30pm AEDT
Stadium: Pirtek Stadium

Western Sydney Wanderers $1.36 vs Melbourne Heart $8.50 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Western Sydney Wanderers $1.36 vs Melbourne Heart $8.25 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison:

Western Sydney Wanderers	1.36	1.40	1.36	1.40	1.36	1.36
Draw	4.75	4.25	4.45	4.25	4.75	4.50
Melbourne Heart	8.50	8.50	8.25	8.50	8.50	8.50

Teams:

Western Sydney Wanderers:
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, 10.Aaron MOOY, 12.Tahj MINNIECON, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 17.Youssouf HERSI, 18.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Jerrad TYSON (gk) , 21.Shinji ONO, 22. Dean Heffernan, 23.Jason TRIFIRO
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 17.Youssouf HERSI (returns from injury), 6.Jerome POLENZ (promoted), 21.Shinji ONO (promoted)
Outs: 25.Mark CINDRIC
Unavailable: 9. Tomi Juric (knee), 11.Brendon SANTALAB

Melbourne Heart:
1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 3. Robbie WIELAERT, 6. Patrick GERHARDT, 7. Iain RAMSAY, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 10. Harry KEWELL, 11.Michael MIFSUD, 14. Golgol MEBRAHTU, 15. David WILLIAMS 16. Aziz BEHICH, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 19. Ben GARUCCIO, 20. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 21. Stefan MAUK, 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Mate DUGANDZIC, 24. Patrick KISNORBO, 25. Andrea MIGLIORINI ***Two to be omitted***

Ins: 10. Harry KEWELL (returns from injury), 19. Ben GARUCCIO (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4. Orlando ENGELAAR (Fractured tibia – long-term), 9. Dylan MACALLISTER (Hamstring 2-3 weeks), 13. Jonatan GERMANO (Calf – 2 weeks)

Preview:

The Game:
After two weeks on the road the second-placed Wanderers return home to host bottom-placed Melbourne Heart. It has been a tough fortnight for Tony Popovic’s side after a 3-1 defeat to Brisbane and a 0-0 draw with Wellington Phoenix last start. The Heart travel to Pirtek Stadium still searching for their maiden victory of the campaign having managed three draws from eight games this season. John Aloisi’s men fought back from 2-0 down against Adelaide and looked on track for their first victory before settling for a 3-3 draw. Harry Kewell is a chance to return from neck and ankle injuries for the Round 9 clash in what would be a big boost for the visitors.

The big issue:
Wanderers – last year’s premiers are sweating on the fitness of four key players including marquee man Shinji Ono. The Japanese star missed the Wellington clash but returned to training on Monday and will be given until Friday to prove his fitness. Brendon Santalab, Jerome Polenz and Tomi Juric also sat out last week’s scoreless draw and are in the mix to return against the Heart.

Heart – it has been 14 months since John Aloisi’s men collected three points on the road and it doesn’t get much tougher than travelling to Pirtek Stadium to face the Wanderers in front of their fanatical fans. The Heart can take confidence out of their spirited effort against Adelaide United last start but desperately need a victory to breathe life back into their campaign.

The game breaker:
Yousouff Hersi – the livewire winger will be better for his cameo appearance off the bench against Wellington after a five-week layoff with a foot injury. While the Wanderers possess quality players all over the pitch, Hersi is the x-factor and is capable of turning a game with one moment of brilliance. Whether he comes off the bench or returns to the starting side, don’t be surprised if the 31-year-old produces the defining moment of the contest.

Prediction:  Wanderers 2-0 Heart
All the stats point to a Wanderers win in front of their passionate fans at Pirtek Stadium. Tony Popovic’s men have won all four matches between the two clubs and the Wanderers haven’t lost in any of their last nine home games. Add the fact the Heart haven’t won away for more than a year and Aloisi’s men clearly have their work cut out for them this weekend. But luckily for the winless Heart games are played on the field – not on paper – and there were some positive signs in the 3-3 draw with Adelaide United last start. The previous meeting in Round 5 was competitive, with the Wanderers doing enough to claim all three points with a 1-0 victory. Popovic’s charges were not at their best against Wellington Phoenix last weekend and the desperate Heart will throw everything at them on Saturday night, but the Wanderers should have too much class and return to the winners’ circle.

Source: www.footballaustralia.com.au