Preview: Perth Glory vs. Brisbane Roar

Perth Glory play host to Brisbane Roar on Tuesday looking for the victory which will move the club off the bottom of the A-League standings.

Despite seven places separating the sides, Glory will cut the gap to fifth-placed Brisbane to two points with a win, while the visitors are bidding to progress into third position.

Match preview

Having lost four of their opening five fixtures this campaign, Perth Glory have been playing catch-up ever since and still sit in last spot in the table.

Nevertheless, seven points have been collected from their last five matches since they were thrashed 4-0 by Melbourne City in the final game before the World Cup.

The second of the recent wins for Ruben Zadkovich’s team came at the weekend as they posted a 1-0 triumph over third-placed Western Sydney Wanderers, young midfielder Keegan Jelacic netting the only goal of the game.

Although that success was not enough to move Glory out of 12th position, they now sit level on points with Melbourne Victory and will move into ninth with another win on Tuesday.

They are also looking to defend an unbeaten home record having played just three of their 10 fixtures at temporary home Macedonia Park thus far.

While Glory are currently on a high, the same can be said of their opponents who are unbeaten in their most recent eight outings, five of which have ended in draws.

Since the resumption of action, none of Roar’s five matches have featured more than two goals, their two wins coming by a 1-0 scoreline and three draws all being 1-1.

Last time out, a second-half goal from Jay O’Shea proved to be the difference as Roar battled their way to victory at Melbourne Victory.

Warren Moon will now hope that Roar can extend their unbeaten away record to five matches, continuing to remain as the only club who are yet to lose on their travels this campaign.

Team News

Glory are expected to be forced into at least two changes with Salim Khelifi appearing to suffer a groin injury in the win over Western Sydney Wanderers.

Joseph Forde replaced him on that occasion, and Luke Bodnar also needed to be withdrawn, the midfielder’s spot being taken by Zachary Duncan.

Although substitute David Williams set up the winner within two minutes of his introduction, Zadkovich may opt against further alterations to his team.

Barring any injury issues, Moon could opt against tinkering with his Brisbane Roar XI with just one change being made before the final five minutes at Melbourne Victory.

With Charlie Austin having recently departed the club after seven starts, Carlo Armiento and Nikola Mileusnic should retain their spots in attack.

Perth Glory possible starting lineup:
Cook; Lachman, Muir, Koutroumbis; Forde, Duncan, Amini, Jelacic, Clisby; Dowse, Ivanovic

Brisbane Roar possible starting lineup:
Holmes; Chapman, Courtney-Perkins, Neville; Hingert, Hore, Trewin, O’Shea, Knowles; Armiento, Mileusnic

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *