Sydney FC may be nine points clear at the top of the A-League prior to this last game of the season but the hosts bring a worrying four-match sequence of matches without a win, so they’ll be keen to return to winning ways here as they prepare for the Finals Series that will commence soon.
Recent back-to-back defeats against Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City followed by draws with Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar have actually made little, if any, difference to the top of the division.
Nevertheless, the fact that Sydney have managed to pick up just one win from their last seven matches overall must be a concern.
Saturday’s hosts had previously embarked upon a purple-patch of form as they’d won 12 of their 13 matches between early November and near the end of February, but recent results suggest this upcoming clash may not be as straightforward as it should be.
There are a few factors in Sydney’s favour though; they’re at home for this final match of the regular season, they recorded a 2-0 win away from home against Saturday’s opponents back in December, and striker, Le Fondre (19 goals) is a goal behind Melbourne City’s Jamie MacLaren (20 goals) in the race for the Golden Boot.
Onto Western United, and Mark Rudan’s side have not only sneaked through the back door to claim 6th place from under Adelaide United’s noses, but they also have a chance to further improve their chances of a more favourable play-off opponent as they have a further two matches left to play.
The Victorian based outfit will be bringing an impressive sequence of results in recent times into this clash at Leichhardt Oval as they’ve won five of their last six matches overall in the A-League which has thrust them up into the play-off pack.
Victories over Central Coast Mariners, Adelaide United, Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory show that the visitors are building up an impressive head of steam ahead of the play-offs and with striker, Berisha (18 goals) also in fine goalscoring form, the visitors need to be respected here.
However, the time has now come for Sydney FC to get serious and with Le Fondre keen to get amongst the goals again, the hosts could just about get over the line here.