Western United vs Sydney Prediction: Segecic to star again

This weekend's action from the Australian A-League Men's is rounded off on Sunday at Ironbark Fields (08:00, TNT Sports 3), where Western United (fourth) and Sydney FC (sixth), separated by just four points, face off in a fixture that has provided plenty of entertainment in recent years.

Below are my Western United vs Sydney predictions, complete with all the latest team news and match odds, as the visitors look to clinch a top-six spot.

Team News

Abel Walatee (unspecified) remains sidelined for Western United, while Jake Nadjovski has been omitted from John Aloisi's extended squad for Sunday's game.

Oliver Lavale, Sebastian Pasquali and Charbel Shamoon, none of whom were involved in Western United's latest match, a 2-1 defeat to Brisbane Roar on April 17, are all in the long list for the weekend.

Football Odds

Luke Vickery and James Donachie came on at half-time against the Roar and will hope to earn promotions to the starting XI, while fellow substitutes in that Suncorp Stadium loss, Michael Ruhs and Jordan Lauton, could also get the call-up from the off.

Patryk Klimala and Leo Sena have returned to Sydney's extended squad for their trip to Tarneit, following a knee and calf injury, respectively.

However, the duo's involvement in Sunday's matchday squad isn't certain, with final checks to be made over the next 24 hours.

Aaron Gurd (collarbone) and Alex Grant (calf) remain in the Sky Blues' treatment room.

Western United vs Sydney Odds

Western United's five-game win streak was brought to a halt by Western Sydney Wanderers (2-0) on April 13, and that defeat was followed by another against the Roar. However, both losses came on their travels, and a return to Ironbark Fields, where they have won their last three matches, might offer more joy.

Sunday's hosts are 5/4 to do the double over Sydney, who they beat 4-3 in December's reverse fixture, implying a 44.4% probability, while the visitors are 6/4, or a 40% chance, to chalk up a third straight victory on the road.

The draw is priced at 11/4, both teams to score at 1/3, and over 3.5 total goals at 4/5.

Western forwards Hiroshi Ibusuki (5/4) and Noah Botic (13/10) head the anytime goalscorer market, followed by Sydney stars Klimala and Adrian Segecic (both 7/5).

Both Teams to Score in First Half - Yes @ 7/4

Fast starts have characterised head-to-heads between these sides in recent years, with both teams scoring in the first half in the last four league meetings.

Earlier this season, Western beat Sydney 4-3 at Allianz Stadium, with three goals struck before half-time - two by the visitors, and one by the hosts.

Both teams to score in the first half has landed in 33% (8/24) of United's ALM games this season, including their 2-1 defeat at Brisbane Roar last time out, while only Adelaide United (48% - 12/25) and Western Sydney Wanderers (46% - 11/24) have seen this selection win more times in 2024/25 than Sydney (42% - 10/24).

Sydney have scored and conceded in the opening half of their last two matches, and four of their last five.

With the attacking talent on show this Sunday, I expect more early entertainment between these two clubs, with both getting on the scoresheet before the interval.

Anytime Goalscorer - Adrian Segecic (SYD) @ 7/5

At the time of writing, only Adelaide United's Archie Goodwin (also 13) has scored as many ALM goals this season as Sydney's Segecic, who has found the net 11 times this calendar year alone - three more than anyone else in the league.

The 20-year-old, touted for a Socceroos call-up and an overseas move, has scored in three consecutive ALM appearances, striking once against Adelaide United and more recently Newcastle Jets either side of a brace against leaders Auckland.

Segecic just can't be stopped at the moment, and against a Western side that has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six games, conceding exactly twice in three of their last four, he will fancy his chances of finding the net this weekend to boost his Golden Boot aspirations.

He bagged a brace in the reverse fixture at Allianz Stadium, and Aloisi's side could face further punishment from the rising star on Sunday.

Offers

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