Western United will close the Macca’s Festival of Football on Tuesday with a huge clash against Macarthur FC at UTAS Stadium, looking to build on Saturday’s 6-0 triumph over Perth Glory.
Match Details
Western United vs Macarthur FC
Tuesday, 19 April
Kick-off: 5:05pm AEST
UTAS Stadium, Launceston
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
READ MORE: Last time out – Western United 6-0 Perth Glory
Form Guide
Western United: DWDLW
Macarthur FC: LDWLW
Western United got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Saturday, hitting Perth for six to give the Tasmania trip the ideal start.
That was the ideal reaction to a disappointing defeat against Wellington Phoenix and means United has lost just one of its last five matches.
The Green and Black has ridden a sensational run of form in 2022 with only two losses over a 15-match period, with John Aloisi’s side recently reaching a club-record points tally with four games still remaining.
Macarthur have battled some inconsistency lately but come into this with confidence after a late win over Brisbane Roar at the weekend.
The Bulls have won only three of their last 10 games but remain well-placed for a spot in the finals. Ante Milicic’s side sits sixth on the A-League Men, with a jump into fourth place on the line on Tuesday.
Previous Meetings
Western United and Macarthur FC have brought bulk entertainment in the four previous meetings, with the fifth set to be very much the same.
United claimed a 4-1 victory the first time the two sides met last season on the back of an Iker Guarrotxena masterclass, but the Green and Black has so far failed to beat the New South Wales side since.
A pair of 2-1 defeats followed in the remaining meetings of last season before a 2-2 draw earlier in this campaign, a game in which United was leading 2-0 before a late fightback from the Bulls.
Team News
John Aloisi could be tempted to make some changes to his Western United side given the short turnaround from Saturday night’s match.
The whole squad has pulled up well from that, though, and there are no fresh injury concerns for the boss to contend with as Alessandro Diamanti and Josh Risdon remain the only two absentees.
What John Aloisi is saying
On the importance of Lachie Wales getting his first three goals of the season
“It was important for Lachie because he hadn’t scored this season, but he’d been performing really well – he’s been one of our most consistent players this season.
“So for him to get on the scoresheet gives him confidence. We spoke about it a few weeks ago – as soon as one goal goes, in you’ll get a few. He was a bit lucky on the first goal, but the next two were great strikes.”
On the positive impact of the crowd at UTAS Stadium
“We were impressed with the crowd – they made a lot of noise and really supported us. It helps the players, I remember when we came down here against Perth last time, it was an away game, but the supporters gave us a lift. Let’s hope tomorrow night is the same, I’m sure it will be.”
