Sky Blues intent on silencing Roar to maintain impressive run of form

Sydney FC will bid for a fourth successive win when they host Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium.

Steve Corica’s Sydney FC are chasing four successive A-League wins. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Sydney FC’s recent form resurgence will “mean nothing” if they can’t beat the battling Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

The Sky Blues, who have won three matches in succession to move into the A-League’s top six. will start as hot favourites against the struggling Roar, who haven’t won in their past six matches.

However, one of Brisbane’s three wins this season came against the Sky Blues, who lost 3-1 to the Queenslanders at Kayo Stadium in November.

The Roar led 2-0 after 12 minutes and were never threatened.

“We were disappointed in the first 15 minutes last time out against Brisbane,” Sydney coach Steve Corica said.

“We lost concentration and moments in matches and we can’t afford that against a team like Brisbane.

“They’re very good defensively and they have pace upfront as well, so we need to be ready from the start on Saturday.”

Former Socceroo Robbie Kruse is set to make his Brisbane Roar return. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

Sydney midfielder and former Roar star Luke Brattan won’t accept any form of complacency against Brisbane.

“The last three games mean nothing if we don’t back up and beat Brisbane,” Brattan said.

“We know what to expect but the main thing is that mentally we’re in the right place, and hopefully in front of our home fans we can put on a good show and continue the winning streak.”

Sydney will be without English striker Adam Le Fondre, who will be sidelined for several weeks after injuring his hamstring in his side’s 1-0 win over the Wanderers in last Saturday’s derby at CommBank Stadium.

Pat Wood is Le Fondre’s expected replacement in Sydney’s starting side.

“He’s a fantastic young player,” Brattan said of Wood.

“He’s proven that he can score goals and it’s just about him being confident and being prepared for the weekend.”

The Roar’s hopes of causing an upset should be boosted by the presence of former Socceroos star Robbie Kruse.

The 34-year-old attacker’s return appearance for Roar after recently rejoining the club was set to occur last week against the Central Coast Mariners.

But Kruse missed Brisbane’s 2-1 loss due to the birth of his second child.

The Roar are hoping Kruse and recent signing Stefan Scepovic, a former Serbian international striker, can cure Brisbane’s lack of potency in attack.

In 16 matches this season, the Roar have scored only 12 goals, the lowest amount of any A-League team.

Originally published as Sky Blues intent on silencing Roar to maintain impressive run of form