- Western Sydney Wanderers are in terrible form, losing their last 5 matches in a row and failing to build any momentum.
- Cooma Tigers are in good form, winning 7 of their last 10, drawing 2 and losing just 1.
- The odds are not tempting in this cup clash.
Cooma can make this a cagey clash
Western Sydney Wanderers have been in awful form in recent weeks, slipping up in a terrible run of 7 defeats, 2 draws and just 1 win across their last 10 in all competitions. Gary van Egmond's men have lost their rhythm in this period, they're coming off a run of 5 consecutive defeats and it will be a real test of the A-League club's character if they can stop the rot in this cup tie with no room for passengers.
The visitors last 3 games have been a 0-2 home defeat to Sydney FC, a 2-1 away loss to Wellington Phoenix FC and a 0-2 home loss to Melbourne Victory. The trip to Cooma on Wednesday could be a chance for a respite, however Cooma Tigers are a strong side with some momentum of their own.
In the last 5 games, Cooma have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1, but they are unbeaten in 6 at home in all competitions (W4, D2). They've only conceded 8 goals in these 6 games, they're unlikely to try and beat Wanderers at their own game and more likely to sit deep, block the middle and try to punish their opponents when they over-commit.
The last 3 matches for Cooma Tigers have been a 2-0 away defeat to Monaro Panthers FC, a 2-0 win away to Canberra White Eagles FC and a 2-2 draw at home to Queanbeyan City FC. Cooma should be able to keep this game narrow and tight, so Under 2.5 goals at 4.0 looks a decent play considering the stylistic mismatch.
A clash of styles
Western Sydney Wanderers will come to Cooma with their high-tempo, high-intensity and attack-first blueprint. They like to get wide, they like to push the ball forward and they'll look to press the opposition high up the pitch to try and snatch the ball back in dangerous areas. Cooma Tigers are likely to set up in a narrow block, close the middle and look to live off transitions.
This should be a game where the visitors have the majority of the ball, but it's also a game where Cooma can be disciplined enough to make it scrappy and potentially punish any over-commitment. Thus we're looking at the goal lines and Over 2.5 goals at 1.21 and Both Teams to Score - No at 1.65 look a big price.
This game has real potential for an upset, but the line makes it difficult to back Cooma Tigers.
