Managerless Macarthur welcome 2021-22 A-League champions Western United to the Campbelltown Stadium early Sunday morning.
The hosts occupy a place in the quarter-final playoff positions, while the Western Service Crew sit 10th in the standings.
Match preview
Macarthur were rocked in the week when Dwight Yorke sensationally resigned following their 1-0 defeat to Adelaide United on Friday.
The hosts have experienced mixed fortunes throughout the current A-League campaign, losing more matches - five - than they have been victorious in.
The Bulls have conceded 18 goals so far this season, which has temporarily halted the New South Wales outfit's aspirations of improving upon their seventh-placed finish in the 2021-22 regular phase.
Victorious over Newcastle Jets on January 8, courtesy of goals in either half from Ulises Davila and Al Hassan Toure, Yorke's side then faced off against Central Coast Mariners in their second match at the Campbelltown Stadium in five days.
However, things did not go to plan for the hosts, as Nick Montgomery's Premier Plate candidates condemned Macarthur to 2-1 defeat in front of their supporters.
Further disappointment followed on Friday morning when an ill-tempered affair with Adelaide United at the Hindmarsh Stadium resulted in a 1-0 defeat, with both sides reduced to 10 men by the full-time whistle.
Possessing a modest 20% win ratio away from the home comforts of the AAMI Park, Western United have emerged victorious in only one of their five expeditions across the 2022-23 A-League season.
Like their hosts, The Western Service Crew have encountered defensive frailties this season in the wake of conceding the most goals - 24 - across the division.
Following a comprehensive 4-0 defeat against current league leaders Melbourne City on January 7, Western United held on to secure a share of the spoils with Newcastle Jets despite witnessing defender Jacob Tratt shown a straight red card in the 75th minute by referee Kurt Ams.
Nonetheless, the Western Melbourne-based outfit returned to winning ways six days later against Sydney, courtesy of a stunning strike from Alessandro Diamanti six minutes after appearing off the substitutes' bench.
Western United have ultimately failed to replicate the form that saw John Aloisi's side claim a maiden A-League Championship title on May 28 so far this season.
Team News
Following the defeat against Adelaide United, attacking assets Daniel Arzani and Al Hassan Toure could be restored to the Macarthur starting XI alongside Ulises Davila and Craig Noone.
The Bulls, however, will be without midfielder Jake Hollman following his red card last Friday.
In the absence of the suspended Hollman, fellow midfielder Charles M'Mombwa could take his place in The Bulls' starting lineup at Campbelltown Stadium.
After witnessing his side emerge triumphant against Sydney, it is unlikely that Western United boss John Aloisi will make any changes to the 11 that were victorious at the North Hobart Oval.
Off the back of his mesmerising goal on Saturday, 39-year-old midfielder Alessandro Diamanti could be restored to the Western Service Crew's starting team sheet at the expense of either Tongo Doumbia or Lachlan Wales.
Macarthur possible starting lineup:
Kurto; Vujica, Aspropotamitis, Uskok, Millar; M'Mombwa, Baccus; Toure, Davila, Noone; Arzani
Western United possible starting lineup:
Young; Topor-Stanley, Imai, Lacroix, Risdon; Diamanti, Kilkenny; Wales, Pain, Pierias; Botic
We say: Macarthur 1-2 Western United
Unbeaten in their last three head-to-head encounters, we forecast Western United to continue that impressive run with three points at the Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday morning.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
