Sydney FC will host the biggest Isuzu-UTE A-League Men’s Sydney Derby in nearly ten years at Allianz Stadium this Saturday night when the Sky Blues take on their cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers (kick off 7.45pm).
The clubs are within four points of each other and are both in Finals contention with only six games to play.
Wanderers lead Sydney FC and have not finished ahead of the Sky Blues in seven seasons, while the two clubs have not been so close on the ladder at this stage of the campaign since 2014.
A crowd of well over 30,000 is expected with general admission tickets already sold out and an atmosphere like the first Sydney Derby at Allianz Stadium on the cards.
Sydney FC Head Coach Steve Corica believes it will be the most tense feeling between the two sides in years.
“It’s without a doubt the biggest game of the season for both our clubs,” he said.
“We’ve both won one game each and are both in Finals contention. It’s going to be huge and the atmosphere will be electric.
“It’s always been tight this season and it will go right to the wire,” he continued.
“We want to finish the season off on a high.
“We’ve shown we have quality players who can produce in big games and we need to continue that from now until the end of the season.”
Wanderers Head Coach Marko Rudan knows the importance of the match to the fans.
“Irrespective of where teams are on the ladder that’s a big game,” he said.
“It just so happens that both teams are having a decent season and three points are up for grabs.
“It’s a game that we need to win, it’s as simple as that. Irrespective of where they are on the table it’s a big game for our fans and Members and it always has been.”
The game will take on even more significance following post-match comments from both Corica and Rudan after the last derby, as well as Wanderers striker Brandon Borello who claimed the Sky Blues didn’t not deserve their 1-0 and that they were “bang average”.
Rudan questioned Sydney FC’s tactics while Corica suggested his opposite number was a “sore loser”.
