The clash
Melbourne City will be looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing 4-3 loss to Brisbane Roar when it takes on the Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday.
This was City’s first loss of the season, and it came after holding leads of 2-0 and 3-1 against a fast finishing Roar outfit.
In his first game back from a hamstring injury that kept him out for just two weeks, Jamie Maclaren netted his fourth A-League hat trick to take a clear lead in the golden boot. Maclaren is sitting on seven goals, three more than any other player, despite having only made three appearances.
Roar striker Roy O’Donovan also scored a hat trick, with two of his goals coming from the penalty spot, to steer his side to victory.
The Wanderers last week had a bye after picking up ten points from their first five games, including three wins.
A fortnight ago they travelled to GMHBA Stadium to take on Western United where they were handed their only loss of the year, going down 2-1 in Geelong. Wanderers striker Mitchell Duke netted his side’s only goal with a fifth minute effort.
This was Duke’s fourth goal of the season which sees him sitting in equal second place behind Maclaren in the race for the golden boot.
Erick Mombaerts will be hoping his defence can return to the form of the first five weeks of the season after having conceded four goals on the weekend.
Western Sydney has scored just six goals in their five matches and will be eager to find the back of net as they come up against the resilient defensive partnership that is Harrison Delbridge and Curtis Good.
Last time they met
The past couple of fixtures between the two teams have been high scoring contests, with 13 goals being scored in the last three meetings.
The two teams most recently met in the FFA Cup Quarter Finals, where City ran out 3-0 winners thanks to a Craig Noone brace and a Jamie Maclaren strike.
The last time they met in the league was in Round 23 last season, where the Wanderers claimed the three points at ANZ Stadium after Oriol Riera netted a double and Mitch Duke found the back of the net.
Team news
Florin Berenguer returns ahead of City’s Round 7 clash. See who’s in and who’s out in our Team News.
What was said
Melbourne City FC midfielder Josh Brillante
“You need to be positive and look forwards, and we’re ready to bounce back on Friday.”
Where and when
City will be on the road for the second week in a row when they take on the Western Sydney Wanderers. This will be City’s first game at the newly opened Bankwest Stadium, with the clash kicking off at 7:30pm. Erick Mombaerts’ team will sit out Round 8 with the bye, before returning to AAMI Park to host Perth Glory on Friday 6 December, kick-off 7:30pm, get your tickets here!
