A 4-0 loss to rivals Central Coast Mariners last week does not bode well for Sydney FC in this Week 18 A-League clash.
The Sky Blues gave nothing up forward as the Mariners did as they pleased to consign the reigning champions to 9th on the table with their finals chances slipping away.
The likely return of Bruno Cazarine and Alex Brosque will do a lot for Vitezslav Lavicka's attacking line but it is the other end they need to worry about as a rampant Roar side come to town, in search of yet another win.
Last Friday night they showed their character by grabbing a late equalizer against the Melbourne Victory in Melbourne to force a 3-3 draw. The point allowed them to remain well on top of the table and set up a chance to take their unbeaten run to 16 games and equal a national record.
The Roar are simply playing too well and with Sydney's ability to concede easy goals, will notch up a comfortable win to again stamp their authority on the competition.
Verdict: Roar 2-0
Sydney FC v Brisbane RoarVenue:Sydney Football Stadium, SydneyDate: Sunday, 12 December 2010 Local kick-off time: 5.00pm Referee: Jarred Gillett Head-to-head: All matches (played 19): Sydney FC wins 5, Brisbane Roar wins 6 (8 draws) Match fact: Having not lost any of their past 15 matches (a new Hyundai A-League record for longest undefeated streak), the Brisbane Roar are now aiming to go for 16 undefeated matches, which would be the equal-longest streak in the Australian national league since February 2001 when South Melbourne completed a 16 match undefeated streak in the old NSL.
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club partener is SBS 6 (Digital). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
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, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 16. Terry ANTONIS, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 24. Dimitri PETRATOS *three to be omitted* In: Bruno CAZARINE (promoted), Alex BROSQUE (returns from injury) Out: Nil Unavailable: Nicky CARLE (Back - 3 Weeks), Rhyan GRANT (knee - 1 week)
