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Wanderers, United set for A-L crunch clash

3 minute read

Western Sydney and Western United will face off for a crucial advantage in the A-League finals race while Sydney FC can go second with a win over Newcastle.

Western United Head Coach MARK RUDAN.
Western United Head Coach MARK RUDAN. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images.

The A-League finals race will heat up when Western Sydney and Western United face off.

The Wanderers and United both sit two points behind sixth-placed Brisbane and if either team wins Saturday night's clash at Bankwest Stadium they would leapfrog the Roar into the finals places.

"It's a game that as tight as (the league) is - three points is like a gold nugget," United coach Mark Rudan said.

"There's a lot of teams sharing a point now but if you can get three points, it's gold.

"We know (the Wanderers are) a team that can hold the ball and we know they're a team that can play on the counterattack as well, so we'll be ready for both those situations."

Rudan was confident Lachie Wales would overcome an ankle injury and while there were a "lot of tired bodies" after the Brisbane clash, expected United to back-up.

Victor Sanchez returns from suspension while Seb Pasquali has also been named.

The Wanderers didn't initially name new recruit Steven Ugarkovic but he could yet feature, while Dylan McGowan and Nicolai Muller have been recalled.

United are in the midst of a gruelling travel schedule.

They spent additional time in Brisbane after their loss to the Roar on Wednesday night, amid caution over Sydney's COVID-19 outbreak.

They will fly from Brisbane to Sydney on match day and face the Wanderers that night. They then plan to fly directly to Perth ahead of next Wednesday's clash with the Glory, pending any travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC will look to bounce back from their Sydney derby loss against cellar-dwellers Newcastle in a game that if they win will see them jump into outright second place.

"They're down the bottom of the table but it's never easy to play them, especially at their ground," Sydney coach Steve Corica said.

"We always have good games against them. They gave us a good test in the first game as well at our ground.

"They have a lot of good players, a lot of experienced players in there.

"So we just have to make sure we do our job correctly, we're disciplined, we do very well with the ball, create chances to score goals but defensively we need to stop conceding some sloppy goals."

The Sky Blues will be without Luke Brattan (suspension), while Newcastle will welcome back Ramy Najjarine (ankle), Connor O'Toole (hip) and Roy O'Donovan (suspension).

Newcastle have named Jordan O'Doherty in their squad after he joined as part of the deal sending Ugarkovic to the Wanderers.

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