Glory ready to surprise Sky Blues in A-L

Dec 27, 2017 - 7:02 AM Perth Glory captain Andy Keogh hopes his team can give Sydney FC an unwanted surprise when the A-League sides lock horns at Allianz Stadium.

Sydney are five points clear on top of the table following a sizzling start to the season, in which they've posted 10 wins in 12 games.

The only points they've dropped were in a shock 2-0 loss to Central Coast in round six and a 2-2 draw with Western Sydney in round three.

Perth have risen to sixth spot on the back of consecutive wins and are just three points adrift of third-placed Melbourne City.

But they must overcome the odds on Saturday night to beat a Sky Blues outfit who are hot favourites to defend their title.

The Glory's winning percentage of 21 per cent against Sydney is the club's worst against any current team.

But with Keogh and Diego Castro fit and firing again, Glory fancy their chances of coming away with at least a draw.

"We are aiming to back up the last two performances and try to get a result," Keogh said.

"We've seen Sydney have slipped up a couple of times this year. Hopefully, we can give them a little surprise on Saturday."

Keogh missed three games with a mystery groin injury before making a successful return in last week's 2-1 win over Brisbane.

Scans kept clearing the 31-year-old of any muscle tears and it was later discovered it was a nerve issue that was causing the groin pain.

Keogh marked his return with a goal and an assist against the Roar.

His assist - a neat little back heel to set up Castro for an easy goal - was particularly special.

"I was about to try to bury it for myself but I realised at the last second that he was in a better position to tap the ball into the net," Keogh said.

"So I did the right thing by the team and squared it up to him."

Source: AAP