Mixed results for these two sides on the weekend makes this is an extremely hard contest for which to choose a verdict.
Sydney seemed to have got their season back on track before losing 3-1 to Gold Coast United last Friday whilst Perth were struggling before producing a solid 3-1 win of their own over Melbourne Victory.
Prior to that, the Sky Blues had recorded a win and a draw as the Glory were experiencing one of the worst runs ever by an A-League club with nine losses in ten games.
But what good (or bad in Sydney's case) a week can do. On that form, you could argue that Perth could be favoured to win this contest but five away losses in a row has forced the bookies to install the reigning champs as quite firm favourites, which is fair enough.
The fact that this one is at a venue (Parramatta Stadium) not very familiar to the Glory makes it even more of an unknown suggesting Sydney should really take the points, which I am tipping them to do.
Verdict:Sydney 1-0
Sydney FC vs. Perth GloryDate: Sunday, 21 November 2010 Venue: Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta Local kick-off: 3:00pm Referee: Peter Green Head-to-Head: All matches (played 16): Sydney FC wins 6, Perth Glory wins 4 (6 draws) Match fact: This match marks Sydney FC striker Alex Brosque's 100th A-League appearance for the club.
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sport 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is SBS 6 (Digital) and 882 6PR (Perth). 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, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 24. Dimitri PETRATOS *three to be omitted* In: Mark Bridge (hamstring) Out: Nil Unavailable: Nicky Carle (foot - 2 weeks)
Perth Glory squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Josh MITCHELL, 3. Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Jacob BURNS, 9.Robbie FOWLER, 10.Michael BAIRD, 11. Branko JELIC 13.Tommy AMPHLETT, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Howard FONDYKE, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 18. Brent GRIFFTHS, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20. Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 25. Ryan PEARSON *four to be omitted* In: Josh MITCHELL (promoted), Branko JELIC (promoted), Naum SEKULOVSKI (returns from suspension), Mile STERJOVSKI (returns from injury), Ryan PEARSON (promoted) Out: Scott NEVILLE (suspended - 1 game) Unavailable: Chris COYNE (on loan -4 weeks), Victor SIKORA (Hip - 2 weeks)
