The Wanderers will look to return to winning ways when they host Western United at CommBank Stadium on Friday night.
They will look to move on quickly from a disappointing night in the Sydney Derby over the weekend, where they suffered defeat.
Despite Zac Sapsford being able to create an own goal by Jake Girdwood-Reich in the second half, the goal ended up being in vain as the Wanderers fell to a 4-1 defeat.
The side did have chances to add to their tally, with Brandon Borrello getting closer to his dangerous best after his injury lay off, and he will hope to bag his first goal of the season against Western United.
The Wanderers will be looking to complete a clean sweep of their opponents for the first time ever, having won the other two fixtures between the sides this season.
The first game – coming at CommBank Stadium in round two – saw arguably the best first half performance from the Red and Black under Marko Rudan, as they scored five first half goals to secure a 5-0 win, their equal biggest in club history.
It was truly a relentless performance as Nicolas Milanovic bagged a double against his old club, whilst Lachie Brook also secured a brace, with captain Marcelo also getting a goal from a corner.
Their next fixture came in Tasmania at the end of January, and was a much closer and tense affair.
The Wanderers had to contend with an early injury to Alex Bonetig and a red card for Aidan Simmons, but thanks to a wonderful strike by Brook, they were able to secure an important 1-0 win.
Despite the last few weeks seeing the club deal with challenges forced by player availability issues, the side still remains in the top six, and has a game in hand on many of the teams above them, and on the Brisbane Roar who are below them in seventh.
With only eight games to go, the stakes are getting higher and the challenges aren’t getting easier, as the upcoming match at home is the first of three games in eight days for the Wanderers, which include trips to Melbourne and Perth.
They are still in with a great shout of qualifying for the top four and a home final, and they are close to having their full complement of players back available for selection.
Their opponents have had a difficult season, with just four wins and 15 points on the board.
After an opening round win over Melbourne City, John Aloisi’s men went on an awful run of just one victory in 14 matches.
Their form has improved slightly, with two wins and a draw in their last four matches, including last weekend against an in-form Perth Glory.
It was far from a spectacular clash, but Noah Botic’s strike just after half-time was enough for an important 1-0 win.
Western United’s attack has been a huge concern – with just 19 goals in as many games – and they have conceded four or more goals on three occasion’s this season.
They do have dangerous threats, with goalscorer Botic and star attacker Daniel Penha showing bits of brilliance throughout the season, and they have the ability to punish any defence.
After the derby, Marcelo and the rest of the defence will be desperate to keep an eighth clean sheet of the season, which they hope will be the backbone to a crucial victory that can kickstart a strong run at the business end of the season.
The Wanderers’ two wins this season against United mean the head-to-head record is even, with each side having five wins, plus one draw; the Wanderers have also won their last three clashes against Western United without conceding a goal.
