Passionate Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC supporters will get a bonus edition of the Sydney Derby this Saturday evening when both sides do battle in a sudden-death elimination final.
The Wanderers will mark their return to the Finals arena after six long years by hosting one of the juiciest match-ups in A-League Finals history at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.
The two arch-rivals have battled each other dozens of times over the years, but unbelievably never in the post-season.
Following their 3-2 loss at the hands of Premier’s Plate winners Melbourne City last Friday night at AAMI Park, the Wanderers locked in fourth place on the A-League ladder and a home elimination final.
“I’m supremely confident for next week. I can’t wait,” Wanderers coach Mark Rudan said after the clash with City.
“We’re at our home ground and we’re playing some great football. We’ll continue to do that. They’re disappointed in there, but they’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.”
The Wanderers have a strong record against the Sky Blues this season having beaten them on two occasions, including a 4-0 hammering on March 18.
“We’ve beaten Sydney FC twice and we’ll take a lot confidence out of that,” Rudan said.
Tickets to Saturday night’s elimination final go on sale this afternoon.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.