The wounds may still be healing from that Round 3 loss at Bankwest Stadium but Sydney FC can take heart that only two of the past 17 Sydney Derbies has fallen in Western Sydney Wanderers’ favour.
Since that stunning upset back in October, Head Coach Steve Corica’s side have strung together an astonishingly consistent 13-match unbeaten run, which includes 12 wins a one draw, and the runaway Hyundai A-League leaders have not conceded a goal in since January 10.
The Sky Blues are unbeaten in their past eight home matches against the Red and Black, wining five, but Friday’s clash is unique in that it is the first to be played at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, a venue where the Champions are unbeaten in 13 encounters.
Sydney FC usually hit the ground running, and have scored a competition-high 18 goals within the first half hour of games, so Jean-Paul de Marigny’s side will need to have their wits about them early on.
Adam Le Fondre is likely to be the man for the Red and Black defence to watch. Le Fondre has 13 goals in his last 13 games, although the English marksman has only scored once against Western Sydney – his lowest total goal tally against any Hyundai A-League side.
Mitchell Duke grabbed the winner the last time these bitter rivals met and the Wanderers captain has gone on to rack up nine goals this campaign, his career-best goalscoring return in a single season.
Here’s your overall derby stats:
| Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 23 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 40 | 22 | +18 |
| Wanderers | 23 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 22 | 40 | −18 |
- Most wins: 12, Sydney FC
- Biggest Win: Wanderers 0–5 Sydney FC (9 December 2017)
- Most Consecutive Wins: 5, Sydney FC (9 December 2017 – 15 December 2018)
- Longest Undefeated Run: 9, Sydney FC (8 March 2014 – 14 January 2017)
- Highest Scoring Match: Western Sydney Wanderers 3–4 Sydney FC (28 February 2015)
Sydney FC are back in action this Friday 28th February in the #SydneyDerby at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (kick off 8pm AEDT) brought to you by McDonalds.
Tickets are selling fast for the biggest clash at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium this season, get there to back your Sky Blues by purchasing tickets here.
