Western Sydney - Melbourne Victory

Ten games into the season and Western Sydney Wanderers sit third from bottom in the A-League. They have won just one in their last six, so victory in this match is absolute imperative. 

On the New Year’s Day Wanderers hosted the other Melbourne team, Melbourne City, and lost 2-0. They had numerical superiority for almost 40 minutes and statistically speaking they were better team, but they conceded two goals in the first half and couldn’t come back on track. Once again realization was their huge problem as they have the second worst attack in the league; only terrible Central Coast scored less than them. Interesting fact will show us that Western Sydney had 147 shots on opponents’ goal, second most in the league, but their 10% conversion rate is the second lowest.

Attack is awful, but defense is not much better either as it’s conceding almost two goals per game and only two bottom team let more goals in. This season they managed to keep just one clean sheet!

Melbourne Victory were absolutely dominant side against Wellington, but they can blame only themselves why they took just one point. They had 58% of ball possession had twice as much shots on goal compared to their rivals, but still they scored just once. 

Draw against Wellington was their second in a row, and the first one was also unlucky one as against their cross town rivals they conceded goal in injury time. 

Victory’s fans are maybe bit disappointed after two draws, but overall their form is excellent and they sit just three points behind the leaders. Melbourne Victory have the most efficient attack in the league led by two stars known even in Europe, Keisuke Honda and Ola Toivonen, who scored 5 each this season.

Melbourne are unbeaten in last six, they have four wins and two draws and they’re clear favorites in Sydney. During the same period Western Sydney Wanderers managed to take just four points and it won’t be a huge surprise if they miss playoffs this season. Their star striker Oriol Riera is playing good and scoring, but the rest of the team doesn’t follow him.