The Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to carry their solid away form from last season into their 2024/25 campaign, hopefully propelling them back into the race for silverware.
Despite being under tough circumstances at times, the Wanderers pulled off some notable victories on the road, especially towards the end of the season, and such results this time round could be the difference between success and failure,
There are also new trips facing the side, with the addition of a team from Auckland, and Western United having a new home.
Here are five key away matches in the Wanderers 2024/25 season.
Round 2 (Sunday 27th October, 2024) First away game of the season vs Western United
The Wanderers’ first away trip of the season will be a unique one, as they play Western United at their new home ground at the Ironbark Fields.
John Aloisi’s side finished second from bottom last season, with the Wanderers defeating United in both home and away matches (last season’s away match took them to Tasmania), and they will be hoping for more of the same this season.
Last season’s matches were contrasting in nature, with a 5-0 win at home followed by a gritty 1-0 win in Hobart with only 10 men.
A big win away from home early in the season will be a signal of intent from Alen Stajcic and his side as they look to get into the box seat early on into the season.
Round 5 (Saturday 23rd November, 2024) Unite Round Sydney Derby
Alen Stajcic’s biggest test to date as Wanderers coach will come in UNITE Round and the first away Sydney Derby of the season at Allianz Stadium.
With fans from both clubs, as well as travelling fans from all over the country, packing out Allianz Stadium, it will be a unique atmosphere as the Wanderers look to record another famous win on the territory of their arch enemy.
The Red & Black played twice at the stadium last season, winning the first match thanks to a Zac Sapsford goal sinking his former club, before losing the second game later in the season in heartbreaking fashion.
The two wins from the 2022/23 season are still fresh in the mind, including the 4-0 drubbing where Milos Ninkovic pulled the string against his former employers.
Round 20 (Saturday 20th February, 2025) Central Coast away
When thinking of trips to Gosford, it’s difficult not to go back to that rainy night in 2013 where 6,000 Wanderers fans watched Labinot Haliti score an 80th minute winner to help secure the minor premiership.
The trip this season may not hold the same importance, but the Red & Black Bloc always travel in large numbers up the M1 and help create a brilliant atmosphere underneath the palm trees and sauce bottles.
The action on the pitch usually doesn’t disappoint either; in 2023 the sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, and in last season’s match, an injury hit Wanderers side were desperately unlucky not to get at least a point on their trip up the coast.
Expect a big crowd to congregate for the match, especially if both teams are fighting at the top end of the table.
Round 25 (Saturday 5th April, 2025) First away game vs Auckland FC
The Wanderers will take their first ever away trip against the league’s newest side in early April, travelling to face Auckland FC in Auckland.
Western Sydney has played in Auckland twice before, once at the famous Eden Park and once at GO Media Stadium, the home ground of the Black Knights.
They have failed to win on their visits to the city, and with this match coming at an important time of the season, they would love to end that record in Round 25.
The game will have added spice as Auckland are coached by Steve Corica, who had many run in’s with the Wanderers as coach of our crosstown rivals.
Round 29 (Saturday 3rd May, 2025) Final match of the season vs Macarthur FC
The Wanderers won’t have to travel far for their final regular season match, making the short hop to Campbelltown Stadium to face Macarthur in what could be a crucial game if finals spots or silverware are up for grabs.
It may be an away game by name, but the travelling hordes of Wanderers fans often outnumber and outsing the home fans, which could prove the difference for Western Sydney, who will look to end the home and away season on a positive note.
The two matches at the venue last season saw a dramatic clash end with a late Macarthur winner in February, before the Wanderers got revenge later on in the season, scoring three fantastic goals in a 3-1 win.
