Preview: Brisbane Roar vs. Western United - prediction, team news, lineups

Brisbane Roar play host to Western United on Wednesday with just one point separating the teams in the A-League standings.

Despite currently being down in eighth position, the home side will move up to fifth spot with victory in this fixture while still holding games in hand.

Match preview

On the back of three successive wins, there was disappointment in the Brisbane Roar ranks when they they only recorded a goalless draw at home to Wellington Phoenix.

Nevertheless, Roar are now the only side in the division who have remained undefeated in their last six fixtures, giving them the opportunity to make quick headway up the table.

Holding three games in hand, Warren Moon's team sit just five points adrift of second-placed Central Coast Mariners, a scenario which will encourage the Roar head coach to forget about the consequences of a defeat.

While Roar have not always fired on all cylinders in the final third, they have now gone eight matches without conceding more than one goal in a game.

Like their hosts, Western United deserve credit for their recent upturn in results as they bid to improve on the mid-table positions.

A goalless draw at Adelaide United last time out has extended their run to eight points from four games, a return only bettered by their next opponents.

Mark Rudan's outfit have now gone 263 minutes of football without conceding a goal, while three clean sheets have been posted in four outings.

There is still work to do in the final third, but Western United will move into third place in the table if they can win by a three-goal margin at the Suncorp Stadium.

Team News

Having drawn a blank against Wellington Phoenix, Moon will consider making changes to his Roar XI.

Josh Brindell-South could return to the team on the right flank, while Rahmat Akbari is in contention for a recall in midfield or the final third.

Dylan Wenzel-Halls should also get the nod over Masato Kudo in the middle of the attack.

Western United will be without Victor Sanchez after the Spaniard was sent off for two yellow cards against Adelaide.

Steven Lustica is likely to be drafted into the centre of midfield in what may be the only alteration to the side.

Brisbane Roar possible starting lineup:
Young; Neville, Trewin, Gillesphey; Brindell-South, O'Shea, Daley, Brown; Danzaki, Wenzel-Halls, Champness

Western United possible starting lineup:
Scott; Calver, Imai, Durante, Pain; Lustica, Uskok; Pierias, Diamanti, Wales; Berisha

We say: Brisbane Roar 1-1 Western United

Given the recent form of these two sides, this contest will surely be decided by the finest of margins.

Although both teams have the freedom to push for maximum points, we can see them cancelling each other out over the 90 minutes.