It’s Friday night lights at CommBank Stadium as the Wanderers host Newcastle Jets to begin Round Four of the A-League Men.
You can get your tickets to the match here.
Alen Stajcic’s side are looking to rebound from a frustrating defeat at home last Saturday against Adelaide United.
In what was a special 10 year anniversary match to celebrate the club’s Asian Champions League win, Western Sydney found themselves down by two goals at half-time after being punished by a clinical away side.
They threatened to hit back, with a first ever goal in Red and Black for Bozhidar Kraev and another Brandon Borrello goal in the second half setting up a grandstand finish, but the Wanderers could not find an equaliser that would have seen them share the points.
It means they are unfortunately still searching for their first league win of the season, but it hasn’t been for a lack of effort, with each game going down to the wire and showing the Wanderers show tremendous spirit and fight.
You don’t get points for effort, and the Wanderers players and staff know they must get a win on the board ahead of the international break and a Unite Round Sydney Derby.
There are still positives for the Wanderers to take from the opening three rounds, top among them being the form of Brandon Borrello.
He had a 2023/24 season decimated by injury, but he has been firing so far for Alen Stajcic as stand-in captain in Lawrence Thomas’ absence.
He has two goals in three games and has been ably leading the line alongside marquee man Juan Mata; he will be crucial to the Wanderers’ chances of victory on Friday.
Nicolas Milanovic has also been good with a goal and an assist, and youngsters Zac Sapsford and Aydan Hammond have made useful contributions in the starting side and off the bench.
Oscar Priestman is also progressing nicely in his return from injury, and Dylan Scicluna also brought energy and enthusiasm off the bench last weekend.
Coming into this match, the Jets have won once, lost once, and have had a week off after a bye.
They were underwhelming in their season opener against a 10-man Melbourne City side, losing 1-0 at home, but rebounded well against Macarthur.
When the Bulls took the lead, it looked like it was going to be another long night for the Novocastrians, but two quick goals from Eli Adams saw rhythm secure a 2-1 win, with the game also featuring tense scenes between the sides at the end of the match.
There is a general mood of optimism around the Hunter this season; whilst the team are still considered underdogs with many young players, they now have more certainty about their future after gaining new ownership in the offseason.
There are five former Wanderers players in the Newcastle side, including their new club captain Kosta Grozos.
One of their top performers so far has been a youngster who used to play on the other side of the Harbour City in Ben Gibson; after a brilliant NPL NSW season for APIA Leichhardt, he secured his first ever A-League deal and got assists for both goals against the Bulls.
Both matches between the sides ended level last season, with the Wanderers fighting back from 2-0 down on the road for a 2-2 draw early on in the season.
The encounter earlier this year at CommBank Stadium was a dramatic affair, as an injury hit Wanderers side that went down to nine men secured a heroic point with a stoppage time goal.
They will be desperate to turn one point into three this Friday night.
Match Details
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets
Friday 8 November 2024, 7:35pm
CommBank Stadium
