The Western Sydney Wanderers are back in action this Friday night when they take on Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
Both sides will be flying high with confidence after solid performances in their most recent clashes in the Hyundai A-League.
The Wanderers held league leaders Perth Glory to a draw after a last-gasp goal from Tarek Elrich denied former Wanderers coach Tony Popovic a winning return to Western Sydney.
It was a dramatic end to the match with Elrich having the final say, curling one from distance inside Liam Reddy’s far post.
The Red & Black showed hunger and the draw was certainly a reward for a battling display that saw them extend their own unbeaten run to three games.
The Wanderers have now had the week off to prepare for the match against the Roar with Markus Babbel’s men hoping to rain on Brisbane Roar’s parade.
The Roar have similarly had the week off to prepare and come into the match after a strong 5-3 win over the Mariners.
Eric Bautheac and Alex Lopez’s performance inspired the Roar to the victory over a nine-man Mariners in what was a classic Hyundai A-League thriller.
The Roar’s men gave the side a 2-0 lead before Tobias Mikkelsen scored in between goals from Connor Pain and Aiden O’Neill as Brisbane went to the break leading 3-2.
But the drama wasn’t done there as Lopez scored his second nine minutes after the restart before O’Neill compounded a tough night for the home side by getting himself sent off soon after.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls then made it 5-2 with 15 minutes left but there was still time for the Mariners to get a late consolation through substitute Jordan Murray before Simon saw red at the death.
The result means Roar have opened up an eight-point buffer to the Mariners at the foot of the Hyundai A-League ladder with seven games to go.
Friday night’s match will mark the third time the Wanderers and the Roar have faced off this season with both fixtures ending in a 2-2 draw.
The Red & Black will be looking to continue their late-season push up the ladder with finals still a possibility if the side goes on an undefeated run.
Brisbane Roar vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday 8 March 2019
Suncorp Stadium, 7:30pm
