Western Sydney Wanderers vs Auckland FC Tips & Prediction - Auckland to edge struggling Wanderers

Determined to prove their debut season in the A-League was no fluke, Auckland have made a very bright start to the new campaign, sitting pretty in second spot on the ladder coming into Round 9, just one point adrift of leaders Sydney. The Black Knights have suffered just one defeat and head into this fixture following back-to-back victories over rivals Wellington and Central Coast. Meanwhile, apart from getting up for their derby showdown with the Sky Blues, the Wanderers have been extremely disappointing to begin the season. The Red and Black may be in seventh spot, but they are just one point off the bottom of the ladder and need to start winning games soon.

I thought beating Sydney would be the catalyst to turning the Wanderers' season around, but that hasn't been the case at all. Auckland have been the superior side across the opening eight rounds and remain one of the hardest teams to break down. However, their defence has regressed slightly from last term. I'm backing both teams to find the back of the net, with Auckland emerging victorious.

Auckland have gone unbeaten across their three meetings with the Wanderers, winning 1-0 and drawing 0-0 last season before a 1-0 victory in Round 2 earlier this term, with Jesse Randall's 21st minute strike proving the difference.

After a solid season last term, the Wanderers have been one of this campaign's biggest disappointments over the opening eight rounds.

Equipped with a talented squad that should certainly be challenging for the premiership on paper, the Wanderers head into this clash having registered a 2-3-3 record on the season, just one point off the bottom of the ladder.

It's just not clicking in attack for the Wanderers, who have managed just six goals for the season - the second-fewest in the competition.

Western Sydney were left frustrated in a 0-0 home draw with Brisbane last week, with Bozhidar Kraev missing an easy header in the 88th minute to hand his side the win. Alen Stajcic's side lost 2-0 away to Perth the previous week, failing to back up their derby win over Sydney FC.

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 2. Gabriel CLEUR, 4. Alexander BONETIG, 5. Dylan SCICLUNA, 6. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 8. Steven UGARKOVIC, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 17. Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 19. Ruon TONGYIK, 20. Lawrence THOMAS, 21. Aydan HAMMOND, 22. Anthony PANTAZOPOULOS, 23. Bozhidar KRAEV, 24. Nathan BARRIE, 25. Joshua BRILLANTE, 30. Jordan HOLMES, 31. Aidan SIMMONS, 32. Angus THURGATE, 39. Awan LUAL, 45. Alou KUOL

It's been a great start to the season for Auckland, who come into this encounter with a 5-2-1 record and in second place on the ladder.

Auckland's only blemish for the season was a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to the Jets - but that game was played in torrential rain, with the second-half resembling a swimming meet rather than a football game.

Steve Corica's side have bounced back strongly from that defeat, registering another derby win over Wellington (3-1) before overcoming the Mariners 2-1 in Gosford last week.

Jesse Randall opened the scoring for Auckland, but the Kiwi club were quickly pegged back via an own goal from Callan Elliott. However, English striker Sam Cosgrove scored his fourth goal of the season with a diving header in the second half, handing his side the win.

Auckland FC squad: 1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 3. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Felipe GALLEGOS, 9. Sam COSGROVE, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 19. Oliver MIDDLETON, 20. Oli SAIL, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 35. Jonty BIDOIS, 77. LACHLAN Brook