Preview: Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Melbourne City - prediction, team news, lineups

Western Sydney Wanderers will aim to continue their unbeaten run when they welcome Melbourne City to the Bankwest Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors, who are seated in ninth place, have had a poor start to the 2020-21 campaign, and they come into this clash looking to end their run of three straight defeats.

Match preview

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Following a disappointing ninth-placed finish last season, Western Sydney Wanderers appointed former Newcastle Jets boss Carl Robinson as they aimed for a top-half finish.

So far, that move has paid off for the Bankwest outfit, who are seated third in the league table.
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Besides an opening-day defeat to new boys Macarthur, Saturday's hosts have impressed this term, and they currently boast the longest unbeaten run in the Australian top flight.
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Robinson's men have not tasted defeat in their last six matches, picking up three wins and three draws, including an impressive 1-0 victory over league leaders Central Coast Mariners.
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They have also been solid in defence this season and have conceded just six goals - only Sydney FC have a better record with five goals.
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On the other hand, last season's runners-up Melbourne City currently find themselves in deep waters as their struggle for results continues.
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With two wins and four defeats in six games, the visitors have picked up just six points from a possible 18 and have dropped to 10th place in the A-League table.
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Patrick Kisnorbo's men have failed to pick up a point in their last three games, falling to three consecutive defeats since a 2-1 victory over Western United back in January.
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However, a quick look at recent meetings between the two sides shows they are on an impressive run against the Wanderers, picking up four wins and a draw in their last six meetings.
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Their last meeting came in March last year, when Jamie Maclaren's 30th-minute penalty cancelled out Tate Russell's opener to give Melbourne City a 1-1 draw on home turf.

Western Sydney Wanderers Australian A-League form: WDWDDW

Melbourne City Australian A-League form: WLWLLL

Team News

Western Sydney striker Mitchell Duke will sit out this tie as he is on a 14-day quarantine after recently joining from Saudi Arabian-based club Al-Taawoun.

The hosts will also be without goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic, who picked up a long-term injury, while Dylan McGowan has been ruled out with a foot injury.

Jordon Mutch, who has been in isolation, is expected to feature for the hosts and this will be a huge boost for Carl Robinson.

Melbourne City midfielder Kerrin Stokes is expected to return to the fold after serving his suspension for a sending-off against Central Coast Mariners.

Kisnorbo will be without the services of Andrew Nabbout, who picked up a hamstring injury, and midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, who is also sidelined through injury.

Western Sydney Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Margush; McGowan, Mourdoukoutas, Gordon; Georgievski, Dorrans, Baccus, Russell; Troisi, Ibini-Isei, Cox

Melbourne City possible starting lineup:
Glover; Jamieson, Good, Griffiths, Garuccio; Tilio, Gomulka, Berenguer; Noone, Maclaren, Metcalfe

We say: Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 Melbourne City

After a contrasting start to the new campaign, this fixture will be a close one. The hosts are currently the better team and should be able to continue their good form and secure the win on Saturday.