The Western Sydney Wanderers are set to host the Melbourne Victory in a huge elimination final this weekend.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 1:00pm on Tuesday 6 May 2025 via Ticketek.
Pitting two of the biggest clubs and most passionate fanbases in the league against each other, it is set to be a thrilling occasion, with the Wanderers looking to win their First finals game since 2016.
They will go into the match in hugely confident mood, coming into the finals campaign on the back of a phenomenal 12 match unbeaten run.
Since their last defeat on Australia Day, a devastating last minute loss, they have won eight and drawn four matches, taking them from eighth place and straight into the top four.
They are also on a two game winning streak, recording a notable come from behind win over Macarthur in their last regular season match of the season.
It was an away match in name only, with a Red and Black army massively outnumbering the Bulls fans in Campbeltown, and they were treated to a resilient performance they have become used to in the second half of the campaign.
Bozhidar Kraev levelled things up in the first half, before Anthony Pantazopoulos put the Wanderers ahead early in the second half.
Super sub Marcus Antonsson then sealed the deal with a well taken strike just after coming on, securing a 3-1 win and helping the Wanderers lock up a top four place and a home final.
The fans and staff celebrated long into the night after a successful regular season, which has been built on grit, hard work, and a refusal to know when they are beaten.
This is evidenced by the fact the Wanderers picked up a stunning 19 points from losing positions this season, including Saturday night’s recent win.
Also in this tally are their regular season clashes against Melbourne, which were notable for different reasons.
The first match, coming in the midst of an injury crisis for the Wanderers, saw a makeshift Western Sydney side draw 2-2 at AAMI Park, being severely unlucky not to take all three points.
The return fixture was the most memorable game of the season and arguably the best at CommBank Stadium.
Melbourne shot out to a 2-0 lead, before Kraev halved the deficit before the break; multiple good saves and defensive efforts denied the Victory after half-time, and laid the platform for one of the Wanderers’ great comebacks.
Goals from Brandon Borrello, Nicolas Milanovic, and a sealer from Antonsson off the bench gave the Wanderers a 4-2 win and saw scenes of jubilation not seen for a long time in Western Sydney.
They will be front and centre of Alen Stajcic’s mind as he prepares his team for the biggest match of the season to date, but he will know he cannot take the Victory lightly.
They finished fifth with 12 wins and 43 points, three points behind the Wanderers, but had turmoil to deal with.
Coach Patrick Kisnorbo walked out of the club after just seven games, leaving Arthur Diles to take charge – initially as a temporary replacement before being given the full time job – and their form was inconsistent to reflect the changes.
A win, loss and draw in their final three games shows they haven’t quite shrugged it off, but their first half efforts in Parramatta back in March prove they can pack a massive punch when things come together for a talented side.
Nishan Velupillay and Zinedine Macach look set to lead the way, with seven goals and five goals respectively, with Daniel Arzani also being a threat.
Despite both clubs having storied histories in the finals, it is the first time they are meeting in the postseason; which team will write a new chapter and move on to the Semi Finals?
