The Clash
Melbourne City FC will bring in the New Year against Western Sydney for the second straight year as they face the Wanderers at ANZ Stadium on Monday.
Coming off a last-minute Melbourne Derby loss, Warren Joyce’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways as the gap to the top two widens.
City face a Wanderers side dealing with their own issues, conceding eleven goals in the past month as they come to grips with the new style of Head Coach Josep Gombau.
Be wary of the wounded Wanderer will be the motto in the forefront of the visitors minds on Monday and City will be looking to harness their positive performances over the past fortnight into three points.
Team News
It’s an unchanged squad that travels to Sydney on Monday with Denis Genreau added to the extended side. See our full team news
Last time they met
City faced the Wanderers in Round 6 as the hosts were made to settle for a point at AAMI Park in November. In what was arguably City’s best all-round performance of the season, Ross McCormack’s penalty secured the point for City as Jaushua Sotrio opening the scoring.
What was said
Head Coach Warren Joyce
We’re never really concerned about what’s going on in their camp because on any given day, all players in this league are capable of beating any other team,” Joyce said.
“It is not a distraction, we’ll be going into the game not thinking it is going to be an easier game. We know what they can do we know how dangerous some of their players can be on the ball.
“We have to go and make sure that we are absolutely be on Monday and dominate the game with the ball and create some chances.”
Western Sydney defender Josh Risdon
“We need to do the simple things well, we’re adapting a new system and a new style which will take a while,” Risdon said.
“The effort was perhaps lacking against Newcastle and in previous matches and we need to lift that and fight out games. If we can grind out some results in the coming matches our playing style will help us towards the end of the season.”
Where and when
City face Western Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Monday, New Year’s Day, kick-off 7.50pm. Don’t forget to catch our W-League side in action before at ANZ Stadium, kick-off 5pm. See both matches on Fox Sports 501.
