R12 vs Western United | Sat 28th Dec | 7.00pm | SS7

First ever A-League game to be played in Ballarat and Western United are giving away free tickets https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/507837

The Melbourne Nix Supporters have sold out a bus, so gonna be a decent away support at least.

Cmon Nix supporters, be loud and proud! It would be an awesome end to the year if we can take the win over there.

Yeah please let us beat that tosser

COYN

Long range forcast is for 30+ degrees on Sat in Ballarat. That could be a factor in team tactics on the day.

The Melbourne Nix fans are a great passionate bunch. They're bound to be heard.

Lets beat these cods, eh?

I think the best we can possibly hope for is a narrow lose or a lucky draw. WU are a class above us.

They're very average, Diamanti carries their team. Most of their wins have been very lucky

WU still insist on playing a team with lots of players well into their 30's. At some point, that will start to work against them.

The heatwave will surely exacerbate the heaviness in some of their legs. Here's hoping one or two of their players need a rest for the weekend... 

No team in this league is a class above us.

They are super defensive but we will crack them. It is time for their biggest defeat in their history and I hope to see Rudas throwing a tantrum.

Kicking over a drink bottle or two

Their win in Wellington in Round 1 was against a very different team from the one that turned out against Sydney last Saturday. We're in with a good solid chance this time.

It's going to  be really hot on Saturday - forecast for 35 degrees. This will probably play into our favour considering WU's aging legs.

I think the team living in Melbourne is more likely to be used to the heat,  so despite their team being a bit older I disagree and think it gives them the advantage. 

Not really; as someone who lives in Melbourne, you never really get used to the odd 35+ day. It's not like Brisbane where it's hot all the time.

With older legs, they're going to get tired quicker.

The age factor of Western United has been overrated all season, it should be disregarded until we see any evidence of it being a factor.

Even if it's not hot in Melbourne all the time they are going to be more used to playing professional football in it then us.

Regardless of that, if we keep playing to the high level we generally have been, we should be good for at least a draw.

I think the older guys have the advantage with the temps being warm as they can avoid common arthritis issues. 

Probably why Dura moved over tbh ?

Bet365 have us @ $3.20 for the win.

I think we should win, but Rudan is a cod and has the knack of grinding out results. I'd love us to give them an absolute pumping, but they'll have home heat advantage and the old legs don't appear to have played a part so far. As someone else said, we keep diamanti quiet, we'll be on course for a decent result. Berisha will do what Berisha does. Likely score as out defence likes to concede simple goals. 

you said this last time, seem to recall you were predicting a 4-0 hammering. Seem to also recall that only a well worked besart berisha goal was the difference in what turned out to be a very tight game. We seem to get better and better every week, and WU have gone off the boil a bit. If we can take it to Sydney we can certainly bully the Bitumens

You seem to love taking the piss

With the conditions being what they are, this may not be the game to have Hooper there but perhaps McCowatt and Waine on the park? I agree with others that Berisha and McDonald should not be underestimated despite their age; on the other hand Dura might find it harder against the young agile Kiwis. This could end in a 1:1 draw.

Nix friendly pubs in Napier? Keen to watch with some sound tomorrow night. 

Why the name Bitumens?

they used the word in describing  who they are and represent. Bitumen is a reference to the highway out west melbourne and is represented by the black stripe.

looking forward to this to game, hoping for a different outcome than last time, We have improved a lot since then and the boys will be hungry for a win,

With the green representing the grass on the nature strips in the suburbs, I believe. fudgeing terrible, should've just said they liked the colour scheme instead of trying to fabricate some bullshark symbolism behind it

Surprised to see Kone and Durante picked in the WU squad after there injuries last week.

More WU speculation from SST.

As we alluded to a couple of weeks ago, there will be a departure in the playing and coaching ranks at @wufcofficial after this weekend’s game. Stay tuned.

https://twitter.com/SocStoppageTime/status/1210338171696730112

Check with Shed 2, they have a number of screens. Usually playing sport. Cricket might be a problem if still going though at any venue.

Rudan's out, he shagged the CEO's missus

Hello fever friends

WSW fan in Wellington for Christmas visiting the wife's family. Some of you may know who I am just from that clue.

Are there any pubs up along the Kapiti Coast known for showing A-League matches? Either in Porirua or Paraparaumu ideally.

WSW play Adelaide at 9:30pm tonight, so being a Friday, most pubs will be open.

Let me know, please :)

Berisha moving?

Most likely its Pasquali. 

I hope the Nix players aren't off watching the cricketers toiling away

Mark Rudan confirmed Scott McDonald will make his return to the match-day squad for Saturday's game against Wellington Phoenix.

McDonald, one of United's standout performers across the early part of the season, has not featured for United in three games due to injury. Star Greek international midfielder Panagiotis Kone will have to wait until the morning of the game to know if he's playing after coming off injured in last week's draw with Western Sydney Wanderers, but his involvement looks unlikely.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/united-seek-striker-and-midfielder-in-transfer-window-mcdonald-back-20191227-p53n5n.html

MR - Playing the odds

FWU!

Shed 2 are going to turn coverage on for us.