Western United vs Auckland FC Tips & Predictions - Western aiming for second win over Auckland this season

Surprisingly, Western have been one of the standout teams this season and they can double down and repeat their blistering 4-0 triumph over Auckland on the road from earlier in the campaign at home. Auckland have obviously excelled in their debut A-League campaign, but I'm still not fully convinced and they did lost to Perth away recently. Western are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 outings and playing at their suburban home ground should give them the edge in this top-of-the-table showdown.

Western crushed Auckland 4-0 in their only previous encounter back in Round 9 at Go Media Stadium, with strikers Noah Botic and Hiroshi Ibusaki among the goal scorers as the visitors went up 3-0 at half-time.

It's been an excellent 10-game stretch for Western, with the team surging up to third spot on the ladder ahead of this contest.

Western have won six, drawn two and lost one in that period, transforming into one of the best attacking teams in the competition, putting four goals past the likes of Auckland, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.

John Aloisi's side could have accumulated more points, but they head into this clash having drawn their last two games 2-2 against Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur FC, the latter of which they went ahead twice.

Angus Thurgate will miss this game due to suspension.

Auckland are flying high at the top of the table in their debut A-League season, winning 10 of their 15 games, losing just twice and conceding a league-low 12 goals for the campaign.

Steve Corica's side bring a two-game winning streak into this encounter having defeated the Wanderers 1-0 and Macarthur 2-1 before enjoying the bye last weekend.

However, Auckland have failed to win three of their last five games on the road, including losing to embattled Perth Glory.

Star midfielder Louis Verstraete is out suspended for this clash, while defender Nando Pijnaker will be sidelined for the next month with an ankle injury.