Tony Popovic
Western Sydney Wanderers soccer team captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley (L) and coach Tony Popovic arrive at Sydney International airport with other members of the team, November 3, 2014. The Wanderers defeated Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal on November 1 to win their first AFC Champions league trophy. Reuters/Jason Reed

The Brisbane Roar will look to end their mini-slump against the league-leading Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 22 of the Hyundai A-League at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The Roar look to snap a two-game losing streak and realign their chances for a fourth A-League championship when they host the Wanderers at Lang Park. Roar head coach John Aloisi believes his club could get back to their winning ways against the Wanderers, who is coming off a 2-1 victory over Perth Glory in Round 21.

"We know that it's mistakes that we are making that's costing us,” Aloisi said, reports the Roar’s official website. "If you make a mistake, it puts pressure on the scoreboard and then you start snatching at things in the final third. We know if we stick to our structures in the way we can play, we'll be fine."

Brisbane was atop the A-League standings during the mid-season, but after a draw with the Newcastle Jets and consecutive losses against Perth and Adelaide United, the Roar find themselves in a must-win game. A victory over the Wanderers could put Brisbane in equal points with second place Adelaide, while another loss would position them six points behind Tony Popovic’s squad.

The Roar have lost two of their last three matches against the Wanderers, including a 2-1 loss in Round 9. But the Wanderers, who are gunning for consecutive victories over Brisbane for the first time since 2013, will not take Brisbane’s subpar performance lightly, according to Popovic.

“We’re not taking them lightly,” Popovic said, reports Dispensable Soccer. “They’re up the top of the table for a reason. They’re having a very good season and we know what to expect tomorrow: a really difficult match … they’re very strong at home.”

TV guide and predicted lineup (Courtesy A-League’s official website)

Hyundai A-League Round 22 Brisbane Roar vs Western Sydney Wanderers will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.30 pm AEDT, SBS TWO from 7.30pm AEDT and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand).

Brisbane Roar FC squad: Michael Theo, Shane Stefanutto, Corey Brown, Corona, Steven Lustica, Jamie Maclaren, Henrique, Jade North, Daniel Bowles, Devante Clut, Matt McKay (captain), Javier Hervas, Jack Hingert, Shannon Brady, Jamie Young (goalkeeper), Thomas Broich, Dimitri Petratos, Brandon Borrello Ins: Clut (promoted), Brady (promoted) Outs: Nil Unavailable: Jerome Polenz (quadriceps – 3 weeks), Jean Carlos Solorzano (quadriceps – 2 weeks)

Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: Shannon Cole, Scott Jamieson, Brendan Hamill, Mitch Nichols, Romeo Castelen, Dimas, Brendon Santalab, Scott Neville, Golgol Mebrahtu, Kearyn Baccus, Jaushua Sotirio, Alberto, Andreu, Mark Bridge, Andrew Redmayne (goalkeeper), Jacob Pepper, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Liam Reddy (goalkeeper) Ins: Hamill (promoted), Mebrahtu (promoted), Pepper (promoted), Aspropotamitis (promoted) Outs: 4.Nikolai Topor-Stanley (suspended – 1 week), Dario Vidosic (hamstring – 1 week) Unavailable: nil

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