Melbourne City vs Western Sydney Wanderers Preview
Melbourne City need a win for their finals hopes, Western Sydney Wanderers are chasing three points that could lift them off bottom spot. I'm backing neither get it with another draw between the misfiring sides predicted.
- BTTS has landed in seven of the Wanderers' last eight games
- BTTS has landed in six of City's last seven A-League games
- BTTS has landed in four of the last five meetings
- The last three meetings have ended in a draw
- City have a competition-high eight draws this season
- Six of City's last 10 games in all comps have ended in a draw after 90 mins
- Wanderers have drawn three of their last seven games
- Max Caputo has scored eight goals this A-League season & was on target vs Wanderers in R1
Melbourne City vs Western Sydney Wanderers Head To Head
The last three encounters have ended all square, including a pair of 1-1 draws in Round 1 and Round 16 this season.
Melbourne City Clinging To Finals Hopes
City come into this contest with a 6-8-7 record for the season and down in ninth spot on the ladder after 22 rounds.
Daniel Arzani put City in front, but the reigning premiers couldn't hold on and conceded a stoppage time equaliser to Adam Taggart.
It was a solid Asian Champions League campaign for City as they made the knockout stages, but it's arguably cost them form in the A-League, meaning they now face a frantic late dash to secure finals football.
It appeared as if City were back on track after a 1-0 win away to Sydney FC, but they blew a golden chance to creep closer to the top six after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Perth before the break.
Daniel Arzani put City in front, but the reigning premiers couldn't hold on and conceded a stoppage time equaliser to Adam Taggart.
Western Sydney Wanderers On Course For Wooden Spoon
It's been a nightmare season for the Wanderers, who remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder heading into Round 23 with just five wins from their 22 games.
However, the Wanderers remain just seven points adrift of the finals positions - they will pretty much need to win the bulk of their remaining games, but not all hope is lost yet.
But, realistically, it's not happening. After a 2-2 draw with fellow battlers Brisbane, the Wanderers suffered a 4-2 loss at home to Adelaide in their most-recent outing before the break.
The Wanderers opened the scoring, conceded twice and equalised before leaking two more goals in another disappointing performance.