Wanderers confident of Sydney derby upset

Jan 13, 2017 - 4:12 AM Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic has laughed off counterpart Graham Arnold's bold boast that Sydney FC goalkeeper Danny Vukovic won't need to make a save in Saturday's A-League derby.

Popovic insisted on Friday he and his team were confident of toppling unbeaten ladder leaders Sydney FC in front of a sell-out crowd at Allianz Stadium to secure their first derby victory in nine games.

Arnold lit the fuse for another fierce clash with cross-town rivals Wanderers when he bragged about his Sky Blues' defence that has conceded just seven goals this season and said he didn't expect Vukovic to see any action.

That's despite being without two leading central defenders following the departure of Matt Jurman and injury to Seb Ryall.

Languishing in seventh place, the Wanderers have struggled to convert chances and have 17 goals, just half the tally of Sydney FC, who beat them 4-0 in the first derby clash of the season.

"We are very confident, we go into the game full of belief and I believe we will show that tomorrow night," said Popovic.

Responding to Arnold's jibe, Popovic said: "I hope he is right because if he (Vukovic) doesn't make a save that means he's pulling the ball out of the net."

Wanderers vice-captain Mitch Nichols had a ready answer as well.

"Arnie likes to talk, we all know that," said attacking midfielder Nichols.

"I think Vuka (Vukovic) was man of the match in the (previous) derby, if I remember right.

"It is about us creating and talking those chances when we get them so I am pretty sure he is going to needs his gloves tomorrow night."

Nichols insisted the Wanderers were close to ending their winless streak of five matches and a derby drought stretching over three years.

"It's little things," he said. "We have been giving silly goals way and getting red cards for probably no reason.

"It is about being disciplined and staying in the game longer because our football has been good, but just at big moments we are letting ourselves down."

The game is an Allianz Stadium sell-out for the sixth Sydney derby clash in a row at the venue.

"It's going to be another fabulous occasion for football in this country and goes to prove our club and our game can rival any in Australian sport," Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata.

Source: AAP