Western United will be out to cause some final day chaos in the 2023/24 Isuzu UTE A-League Men against Melbourne City.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 26
Melbourne City vs Western United
Sunday, 28 April
Kick-off: 5:00pm AEST
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Western United Team News
John Aloisi could welcome a pair of youngsters back into the side with Rhys Bozinovski and Kane Vidmar both returning to the extended squad.
Young players have shone for United this season and a plethora of Academy talents will be hoping for one last chance to impress.
The likes of Daniel Penha, Josh Risdon and Jacob Tratt will unfortunately miss out as they continue their respective injury recoveries.
Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 4. James DONACHIE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 41. Oliver LAVALE, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 45. Abel WALATEE, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 77. Riku DANZAKI
Last time out
It was a crazy game in Western Australia last time out, but Western United ultimately came out on top with a 4-3 win over Perth Glory.
Watch the highlights from Western United’s dramatic victory in Perth
Abel Walatee and Oliver Lavale scored their first Isuzu UTE A-League goals in a game that had just about everything, with Matthew Grimaldi and Riku Danzaki also finding the net to help secure the three points.
Previous Meetings
Western United and Melbourne City have traded 2-1 wins in the two meetings so far this season, with United’s coming back in Round 1.
In both matches, the Green and Black have taken the lead and Aloisi will be hoping that particularly trend comes in threes.
Overall, United has five wins against City compared to nine defeats, with the most famous victory of all being in the 2022 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final.
This game will be particularly intriguing, with Western United looking to disrupt Melbourne City’s finals qualification on the final day of the season.
Key Matchup: Jamie Maclaren vs Tom Heward-Belle
In the face of Melbourne City’s rampant attack, Tom Heward-Belle will need to be at his best in Western United’s goal to help his side secure the win.
In his first season at the Club, Heward-Belle has relished the opportunity for regular minutes and, despite United conceding the second highest number of goals this season, has been impressive.
He and his defence will come up against a Melbourne City side that has scored eight goals in a game twice this season and seven goals once, highlighting their threat in front of goal.
While perhaps not at his most prolific best this season, Jamie Maclaren remains one of the Isuzu UTE A-League’s deadliest marksmen and has a strong goal-scoring record against Western United, so Heward-Belle will be eager to keep him out and set the team up for victory.
Western United Player to Watch: Abel Walatee
It took just seven minutes for Walatee to come off the bench – making only his second senior appearance for Western United – and have an impact with a superb finish against Perth last week.
Immediately after coming on, Walatee made himself a nuisance for the Glory defence with his explosive pace, strength and brilliant skill on the ball.
His confidence to get forward and impact the game was a joy to watch, and he will once again be one to keep an eye on if he gets another opportunity to shine on Sunday.
