The clash
Following a massive 2-3 win away from home last round, Melbourne City FC will return to AAMI Park to host Western Sydney Wanderers this Saturday night.
Click here to get tickets to Saturday night’s blockbuster clash with the Wanderers at AAMI Park!
City got off to a dream start last week against Perth, finding the back of the net three times in the first half.
Rostyn Griffiths scored from a corner in the 24th minute, before Florin Berenguer found the back of the net on the half hour mark, unleashing a curling strike from outside the box that left keeper Liam Reddy no chance.
Just minutes later, Scott Jamieson played a perfectly placed ball for Markel Susaeta who tapped his first A-League goal into an empty net, to give City its third goal in ten minutes.
Glory scored twice in the second half and came close to equalising but a few big moments from Tom Glover, including a quality save in the 90th minute, ensured City took all three points.
This win now means City move a game clear of Perth, but with a win last week, Wellington have moved into third and are just three points behind City, with a game in hand and the same goal difference.
Western Sydney, City’s opponents this weekend, have suffered an inconsistent season thus far and are in a battle to make finals.
The Wanderers’ last 10 games has yielded four wins, two draws and four losses, highlighting their inconsistencies.
City’s home form has been strong in 2020, dropping just two points in five games at AAMI Park.
This is a trend that City will look to continue on Saturday night as it attempts to strengthen its hold on second spot to push for a home semi-final come March.
City will be looking for more out of Jamie Maclaren with the striker scoring one goal in the team’s last six matches, despite starting the season on fire, scoring nine goals in his first four games.
The void has been filled by the committee over those past six games with a number of players stepping up and finding the back of the net, but Erick Mombaerts will be looking for his star striker to get back amongst the goals this weekend.
Last time they met
It was a see-sawing affair back in round seven, when City took all three points away from home, winning 2-3. Kwame Yeboah opened scoring for the home side in just the second minute, with City not able to find an equaliser until Maclaren found the back of the net in the 56th minute.
Josh Brillante gave City the lead less than 20 minutes later before Yeboah completed his brace just seven minutes later to again equalise proceeding. A 92nd minute goal to Maclaren broke the Wanderers hearts to give City a big win away from home.
Team news
See who’s in and who’s out of the squad in this week’s Team News.
What’s next?
Following this round’s clash, City will be back on the road to take on Central Coast in Gosford next Friday night. City will be back at AAMI Park the week after to host Adelaide in what will be the club’s second last home game of the season.
