Western United will host Perth Glory as both clubs head into the final stages of the season and will battle it out for a crucial three points at the Mars Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Western Service Crew ended their three-game losing streak in their last match when they overcame Newcastle Jets 3-1 away from home, while the away side were beaten 2-1 by Brisbane Roar last weekend.

Match preview

After the heights of lifting their first-ever league title last season, John Aloisi's side have seen a major dip this campaign, as they currently languish one point ahead of rock-bottom Melbourne Victory, sitting 11th in the A-League table.

The home side have suffered from a lack of defensive stability so far, holding the worst record in the division for goals conceded (34).

However, in their last game, they were able to secure a vital victory, as Noah Botic's brace and Tongo Doumbia's strike provided them with all three points, giving them an outside shot at a late championship playoff push.

Without a clean sheet in their last five matches, it will be important that they keep a solid foundation at the back, as they face an opposition that have been in fine scoring form as of late.

Western United will come into this affair with confidence that they can secure back-to-back wins, as they hold a very strong head-to-head record against Perth, having won three of the last four encounters between the sides.

Meanwhile, the away side enters this match without a win in their previous five games and will be desperate to gain three points, as it will enable them with an opportunity to qualify for the next stage of the competition for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.

Last time out, Perth were unable to hold onto the early lead that Jack Clisby gave his side, as goals from Tom Aldred and Henry Hore were enough to provide Brisbane with a 2-1 win.

Although, they have been in good scoring form as of late, as The Glory have dispatched at least one goal in their last nine fixtures, having executed on two or more occasions in seven of those matches.

However, the fate of this fixture will once again rely upon their defensive abilities, as they have conceded a bucket load of goals in their recent matches and are without a clean sheet in their last eight games.

Having beaten Western United in the last meeting between the two sides this season, the away team will believe that they can once again get a result against their opponents in this matchup.

Team News

Aloisi is not set to make any changes to the side that beat Newcastle Jets 3-1 in their recent outing.

Both Connor Pain and Joshua Risdon are expected to retain their place in the side after their assists last weekend.

Ruben Zadkovich is also unlikely to make changes to the starting XI that lost 2-1 to Brisbane in their last outing.

After picking up a yellow card on the weekend, Ryan Williams will serve his one-match suspension and will not feature in this matchup.

The away side will also be without Darryl Lachman, Adrian Sardinero and Brad Jones, as all three players are currently unavailable due to injury issues.

Western United possible starting lineup:
Young; Tratt, Imai, Lacroix, Risdon; Kilkenny, Doumbia; Wales, Troisi, Pain; Botic

Perth Glory possible starting lineup:
Cook; Elsey, Lachman, Beevers; Khelifi, Amini, Bodnar, Jelacic, Clisby; Williams, Taggart

We say: Western United 2-2 Perth Glory

We believe that this game is destined to produce a high quantity of goals, as both sides have poor defensive records and are in good scoring form as of late.

We think that this game will be entertaining to watch as the two sides will trade blows, but will conclude with a point apiece.


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