Western United vs Western Sydney Wanderers Prediction: Visitors to win Western shootout

Neither Western United nor Western Sydney Wanderers were able to kick off the 2024/25 Australia A-League Men's season with a win in the opening round of games last weekend, so the pressure is on both to pick up three points at Ironbark Fields on Sunday (05:00, TNT Sports 5).

Ahead of this second-round fixture in Melbourne, you can check out my Western United vs Western Sydney Wanderers prediction below, featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

James York and Jordan Lauton have been added to Western United's 20-man squad, which must be cut by two on matchday. There are no new absentees for the team from Tarneit, who are still without injured trio Ramy Najjarine, Ben Garuccio and Khoder Kaddour, while Besian Kutleshi is on international duty.

Hiroshi Ibusuki, an off-season arrival from Adelaide United, made his first start for the club in last week's 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand, and the Japanese striker is expected to lead the line again alongside 19-year-old Oli Lavale.

Angus Thurgate scored Western United's equaliser in Wellington and the 24-year-old will start in central midfield on Sunday.

Noah Botic, Rhys Bozinovski and Jake Najdovski are all options for head coach John Aloisi if the legendary Socceroos striker wishes to make alterations to his starting XI.

Football Odds

Western Sydney Wanderers suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to city rivals Sydney FC in their opening A-League Men's match last Saturday, so head coach Alen Stajcic will be desperate to get his first league win in charge this weekend.

Goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas remains injured for the Wanderers, so 21-year-old shot-stopper Tristan Vidackovic is expected to continue between the sticks on Sunday, unless Stajcic turns to a more experienced alternative in 27-year-old Jordan Holmes.

There are no changes to last week's extended squad, but it will be interesting to see if Stajcic makes changes to his starting XI in Melbourne, and if so, just how many.

Juan Mata is the obvious candidate to spark some creativity into the Wanderers' ranks having made his debut off the bench in the Sydney derby, although the former Chelsea and Manchester United playmaker hasn't started a game for well over a year and is still lacking match fitness.

Bozhidar Kraev is perhaps a more likely addition to the starting XI having come on for Zac Sapsford at the start of the second half against the Sky Blues.

Former Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers striker Marcus Antonsson, who struck five times in his maiden A-League Men's campaign in 2023/24, is another option to come into the side.

Western United vs Western Sydney Wanderers Odds

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Western United are 13/8 to take all three points on Sunday, giving them an implied win probability of 38.1%, while Western Sydney Wanderers are 13/10, or a 43.5% chance, to get off the mark with a victory in Melbourne.

The draw, meanwhile, can be backed at 12/5, with both teams to score and over 2.5 total goals at 4/9 and 8/15, respectively.

Antonsson and Ibusuki (both 8/5) lead the anytime goalscorer market, followed by Botic, Brandon Borrello and Nicolas Milanovic (all 9/5).

Match Result & Both Teams To Score - Western Sydney Wanderers & Yes @ 11/4

Last weekend wasn't how Stajcic wanted to start life in the A-League Men's with the Wanderers, but they were always up against it at home to a side containing the attacking talents of Joe Lolley, Douglas Costa and Patryk Klimala. The Wanderers have made some important attacking additions themselves in the off-season, bringing in Mata and Kraev, but they finished outside the play-offs last season and are having to build themselves back up again under a new manager.

There should be confidence that they can win on Sunday, however, up against a Western United outfit that ended the 2023/24 campaign in 11th, 11 points behind the Wanderers.

Western United were knocked out of the Australia Cup 4-1 by Newcastle Jets in the preliminary round in July, and although they picked up a creditable 1-1 draw in Wellington last weekend, I don't hold much hope for them this season, with another bottom-two finish a real possibility.

I do like the signing of Ibusuki, while 20-year-old Matthew Grimaldi showed promise with five strikes for United in 2023/24.

Starting with a 3-1 win over the Wanderers on March 8, United have scored in nine of their last 10 competitive games and could cause problems against WSW, who conceded in two of their three Australia Cup ties this season and haven't kept a clean sheet in their last 14 league matches.

So, both teams to score, which has landed in nine of United's last 12 league games, and in two of WSW's last 14, looks a real goer.

I'm also adding in a victory for the visitors as I think they have too much quality in their ranks, and Mata should benefit from getting more minutes in his legs this weekend.

With the Spaniard and Kraev buzzing around Borrello, they should have enough to get past their hosts in Melbourne.

Anytime Goalscorer - Hiroshi Ibusuki (WU) @ 8/5

Ibusuki was unable to get off the mark in Western United colours in Wellington last week, but a home match against the Wanderers provides a better chance for him to grab his first goal at the club.

The 33-year-old struck 15 times in the A-League Men's for previous club Adelaide last season, bettering the 13 he scored combined in his first two seasons with the Reds.

The Japanese forward has a good record against WSW, netting three times in five league head-to-heads, including a brace in a 4-4 thriller between Adelaide and the Wanderers in February 2023; only against Perth Glory (five) and Wellington Phoenix (four) has he scored more goals in the A-League.

I'm already backing the hosts to find the net on Sunday and Ibusuki is their most likely goalscorer, as suggested in his market price of 8/5. I think it's worth taking on as the Wanderers continue to look suspect at the back.

Offers

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