It will be a battle for Lambert Park bragging rights as Sydney FC take on APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Lambert Park on Saturday.
Sydney FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 7pm Saturday at Lambert Park
It will be a battle for Lambert Park bragging rights as Sydney FC take on APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Lambert Park on Saturday.
The Young Sky Blues will be out to shock their more favoured rivals and break a run of three straight defeats.
While Lambert Park is intrinsically linked to APIA, Sydney FC have performed well at the ground they have used as their home since earning promotion to the NSW top tier in 2018 and will be out to stake their claim.
Jimmy van Weeren’s team showed early promise last round scoring early against Sydney United 58. However, they were unable to maintain the intensity conceding three goals in a 3-1 loss.
Thomas Heward-Belle has been in spectacular form for Sydney with the gloveman delivering impressive performance in his last two matches.
Van Weeren may have to shuffle his attacking options this week with Jordan Swibel suffering an injury against United 58. Hamish Lamberton has shown he is up to the task of leading the line and may be called upon once again.
Ryan Teague will need to be on his game in midfield as he takes on a pretty solid Tigers outfit.
While it might be a bit bizarre for APIA to use the away locker rooms, it shouldn’t deter them from getting back to winning ways after a three game slump of their own.
The Tigers suffered a painful 2018 grand final flashback last week as they were stunned by Sydney Olympic 3-1 while John Calleja’s men had only managed draws against Hakoah and Blacktown City in the previous two matches.
Calleja will have some selection issues of his own with club stalwart Franco Parisi likely earning a return to the starting line-up. The APIA boss will need to find the best way to get Parisi and Kiwi international Andre de Jong on the park at the same time with the pair so fair being used as interchange for each other.
There are whispers that former Golden Boot award winner and APIA fan favourite Blake Powell may be on his way to the Tigers which will only boost the club’s scoring stocks albeit forming a deadly partnership with Chris Payne.
Despite being the away side, expect APIA to be the favourites for this clash but Sydney FC could easily catch them by surprise.
