Tension will brew between the Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers players this Saturday night in the Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium.
From two Brazilians going head-to-head, to a rising star taking on a seasoned professional,
and two of the A-Leagues best playmakers all on the pitch, there will be many battles to look
out for.
Take a look at three key tussles that may define the match and contribute to both teams’
charge towards finals football.
The Brazilian Battle: Fabio Gomes vs Marcelo
Fabio Gomes overtook Joe Lolley as Sydney FC’s top goal scorer this season with ten goals
after he buried the ball into the back of the net against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday. Gomes
has been building momentum this season and shook up the Sydney Derby last outing with a
double.
His first goal came from the spot, and the second happened when he picked off
Daniel Margush.
This season, the Sky Blue number nine has scored all his goals inside the
box from his right foot.
But, Gomes will come face-to-face in the box with his Brazilian rival Marcelo, one of Western Sydney’s standout defenders this season. Going into his seventh Sydney derby; he is currently top of the statistics for Wanderers defenders when it comes to recovering balls and clearing them, and he is coming second for interceptions.
The defender often plays in the box, where Fabio Gomes is expected to sit, and will work down the right side of the pitch, where he’ll come face-to-face with Anthony Caceres. The defender is also the top passer for the Wanderers, recording almost 63 per game, so expect him to control the ball from the back.
The captain will also want to earn his first clean sheet since late January. Having already got the better of Fabio in the first game and then Fabio getting the better of him in the second,
this Sydney Derby will decide who is the most dominant Brazilian out of both teams.
The Rising Star vs the Seasoned Swede: Hayden Matthews vs Marcus Antonsson
The Sydney FC defence will reshuffle with Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Jake Girdwood-
Reich out of the Sydney Derby due to Olyroos selection. However, Hayden Matthews will
appear once again after having a game-defining presence since debuting in January.
In the game against Newcastle Jets last weekend, Matthews became the Player of the Week after he made a diving save to clear the ball off the Sky Blues goal line. Despite receiving a yellow card in his first derby, he has been a solid players for the Sky Blues since coming in this season, only conceding more than one goal once.
But, he will come against the seasoned Swede Marcus Antonsson, who is out to score his first
goal since New Year’s Day after sustaining an injury that saw him miss the last Sydney
Derby. After not playing for eight weeks, the striker has yet to score and will want to add to
his tally since moving from Saudi Arabia at the start of the season.
Antonsson has five goals and three assists so far, placing third behind Lachlan Brook and Nicolas Milanovic, who are out on Olyroos duty. Having played 303 more professional games than Hayden Matthews, how Marko Rudan can use the Swede will depend on how well the defender can play.
The Battle of the Playmakers: Luke Brattan vs Jorrit Hendrix
This season, Luke Brattan has been the Sky Blues’ secret weapon. The captain, who missed
his eleventh derby due to suspension, has impacted how Sydney FC plays by making the
most touches out of any Sky Blues player and recording the most passes in the side.
Brattan weaves the ball around the pitch, linking up with players and creating key chances. Expect him to make a couple of shots on goal from outside the box, but also expect him to start the process for opportunities to score.
Rhyan Grant has previously praised the captain, saying that “he adds a lot” to the team and their morale throughout the game.
In Jorrit Hendrix’s first season with the Wanderers, the Dutchman has not been shy of
controversy. From receiving red cards to displaying dominant performances, the defensive
midfielder is unpredictable on the pitch.
Against Brisbane, Hendrix hardly impacted the match by making 26 passes and losing possession five times. But, the week before, he had one of his best games yet in the Red and Black, where he scored his first goal from outside the box.
Despite not being the dominant playmaker that Luke Brattan is, he isn’t afraid to loft a ball or cross, making him an essential playmaker for the Wanderers.
Match Details:
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers Isuzu UTE A-League, Round 24 Saturday April 13th, 2024 Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW Kick Off: 7:45pm Gates Open: 6:15pm Broadcast: Paramount+ and 10BOLD Buy Tickets: Click Here
