Perth Glory vs Western United 12/08/20

12 August 2020

The two sides that have had identical returns from their last two A-League fixtures (W1, L1) go head-to-head at the Bankwest Stadium as Perth Glory tackle Western United.

A dismal 4-0 home defeat to Melbourne Victory last time out means all three of Perth Glory’s previous league matches have featured over 2.5 second-half goals (W1, L2). In turn, six of Glory’s seven A-League fixtures this calendar year have produced three goals or more, with four seeing both sides hit the net (W3, D1, L3). The hosts’ hopes of avoiding defeat are all about scoring the opening goal. Indeed, Tony Popovic’s men have returned just a single point from six top-flight home games in which they conceded the opener (D1, L5). In a similar fashion, they’ve won all but one of six A-League home contests that saw them break the deadlock (D1).

Meanwhile, the visitors have won four of their last five league outings (L1), netting a whopping average of 4.5 goals across those successes. Away from home in 2020, four of Western United’s six A-League fixtures have ended separating the sides by under 1.5 goals (W2, D1, L3), with three seeing over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet. Yet, an inability to bounce back after shipping the opening goal is the reason why three of Western United’s four top-flight away losses this season were ‘to nil.’ Interestingly, though, the majority of United’s away action usually takes place before halftime, as 60.71% (17) of the 28 A-League goals scored/conceded on the road so far arrived in the first half of play.