The Wanderers travel to Adelaide in their final match of 2024 as they look to jump back into the Top Six.
They had arguably their best performance of the season last weekend against Wellington, scoring after 47 seconds and winning 4-1, and it helped them end the round in sixth place.
Macarthur’s draw on Monday means the Wanderers are back down in seventh but have played a game less than their local rivals, and will aim to continue their unbeaten run at Coopers Stadium.
Adelaide have become a familiar opponent this season, with the sides having already played twice in league and cup competitions.
Unfortunately for the Wanderers they have gone down twice in close games, with the Australia Cup match ending 2-1 to Adelaide in extra time, before the Reds held off a late fightback from Alen Stajcic’s side back in round two.
The Wanderers have been slowly building and showed against the Phoenix what they are capable of going forward, with some names standing out.
Brandon Borrello got two assists and created a hatful of chances, continuing his fine run of form after a double the week before, whilst Bozhidar Kraev got his second goal of the season at the end of a great team move.
The star of the show was Dylan Scicluna, with the young midfielder having a breakout performance in a silky and controlled display in the middle of the park.
He rounded off his top game with his first ever goal in Red and Black, and it was a scorching effort from distance that went in off the underside of the bar.
He has been in fine form since coming into the starting side, and will be key in the Wanderers’ efforts to get an important win in South Australia.
It won’t be easy against an Adelaide side who have somewhat flown under the radar this season, being undefeated in the league with five wins and three draws.
They arguably should have six wins as they held a 3-1 lead at home against our crosstown rivals last weekend, but conspired to concede two late goals and were forced to share the points.
They were at their clinical best the week before on the road to the Mariners, as they dismantled the back-to-back champions in a 4-0 win.
Archie Goodwin, the young striker they signed from the Jets, scored in that game and also got a double against Sydney as he begins to find his feet after settling in and brushing off injury issues.
Stefan Mauk, their experienced midfielder, is also in good goalscoring form having two in his last two games.
The head to head record between the sides is very even, with Adelaide nudging ahead of the Wanderers with their recent victory; they now have 13 to Western Sydney’s 12.
The Wanderers did the double over the Reds last season, including a clinical and defensively sound 2-1 win at Coopers Stadium, where Nicolas Milanovic got on the scoresheet that night.
He is the equal top scorer in the league this season with five goals, and was unlucky not to add to his tally last weekend.
Borrello also has eight goals and assists to his name, and he will look to have another game to remember in his home city.
