Brisbane Roar got to sit back and observe last weekend as they had the bye and I'm sure they will be very nervous after seeing tomorrow's opponents Sydney FC go down at home.
That loss will surely have the reigning champions intent on improving markedly so they can record their first win of the season and they are likely to come at the Roar with everything.
However, the home side will be buoyed by news that the Sky Blues will be without strike duo Mark Bridge and Alex Brosque indicating that they will struggle for avenues to goal.
Ange Postecoglou had his men playing with plenty of confidence in their opening round 0-0 draw with Gold Coast United and I sense that the changing of the guard at the Roar has been a positive move.
Tomorrow at home they can achieve a favourable result against a Sydney side that have struggled in their first two matches, particularly in defence, and with an forward formation that is lacking experience, may find it hard to score.
Verdict: Roar 2-0.
Brisbane Roar v Sydney FCDate: Saturday, 21 August 2010 Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Local kick-off: 7.30pm Head-to-Head: All matches (played 17): Brisbane Roar wins 5, Sydney FC wins 5 (7 draws) Referee: Chris Beath
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is SBS digital (Sydney). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. HENRIQUE, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VICSCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 20, Andrew REDMAYNE, 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK*three to be omitted* In: 14. Rocky VISCONTE (returns from injury), 11. REINALDO (returns from injury) Out: 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (quad strain - 1 week) Unavailable: 9. Jean Carlo SOLORZANO (conditioning)
Sydney FC squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 10. Nick CARLE, 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 13. Antony GOLEC, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 17. Matthew JURMAN, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23. Rhyan GRANT *one to be omitted* In: Hirofumi MORIYASU (promoted), Matthew JURMAN (promoted) Out: Alex BROSQUE (Ankle - 1 week) Unavailable: Mark BRIDGE (hamstring - 1 week)
