Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers: match preview

Michael Flynn 1581369883,1581370048

All eyes will be on Cromer Park on Saturday as Westfield W-League action returns from the international break with a pulsating Sydney Derby showdown with massive implications for the top four.

Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC currently sit level on 19 points with the Wanderers only edging the Sky Blues into second place in the table with a superior goal difference after 11 rounds.

Aside from bragging rights against their rivals, the Wanderers will be eager to bounce back from a shock last-start defeat to bottom-placed Adelaide United prior to the international break – their second defeat in their last three matches.

They will be buoyed by their league-leading return of 21 goals this season – including a 5-0 drubbing of their rivals in their last Sydney Derby clash in Round 6, which saw Kyra Cooney-Cross and Lynn Williams each net doubles.

However, the Sky Blues have largely righted the ship since then. They have not conceded a goal since in a three-match unbeaten run, however, Ante Juric's team will embark on the remainder of the season without influential Westfield Matildas duo Caitlin Foord and Chloe Logarzo following their moves to England.

Both sides will also still be eyeing the six-point margin that separates them from league-leaders Melbourne City and know anything less than a win will likely end their Premiership aspirations.