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ALM R8 Preview: Western United v Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar look to extend their four match Isuzu UTE A-League unbeaten run when they go up against Western United at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Ross Aloisi’s side come in Friday’s clash in Melbourne off the back of an impressive 2-0 victory over Adelaide courtesy of goals from Jez Lofthouse and Jay O’Shea at Coopers Stadium last Sunday.

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Sunday’s win, which was Roar’s first victory in Adelaide since December 2017 leaves Roar in second position on the A-League ladder, just a point shy of league leading Macarthur after seven rounds of action.

Conversely, Western United are rooted to the bottom of the league table and are without a win since the opening round of the season.

Friday’s match pits Roar Head Coach, Ross Aloisi against his younger brother John in competitive action for the first time.

John Aloisi is the Roar’s longest serving Head Coach having taken the team for 96 games over the course of three years with Ross working as his assistant throughout his tenure.

United are also home to four former Roar players in Riku Danzaki, James Donachie, Steven Lustica and Connor O’Toole.

Roar will be without defensive duo Scott Neville and Antonee Burke-Gilroy, who were both forced off with injury in Sunday’s victory in Adelaide while Henry Hore will also be missing after it was confirmed the midfielder has undergone minor surgery for a knee injury.

In total Roar and United have clashed nine times in A-League action with United winning on five occasions, Roar three and there having been a solitary draw between the pair.

Roar defeated United 1-0 thanks to a Jay O’Shea strike in the most recent meeting between the pair and will look to go back to back against the West Melbourne for the first time with a win on Friday.

Roar can go at least temporarily top of the league with a win in Friday’s match that kicks off at 5pm AEST and will be broadcast live on Paramount+.

MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2023/24 – Round 8: Western United v Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Friday, 15 December (5pm KO)