Soccer: Odds-makers ignore form for top clash

Roy Krishna has bounced back to his best after battling injury last season. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Expect more of the same when the 34th chapter in the most enduring rivalry in domestic football is written at Fred Taylor Park tomorrow.

In another top-of-the-table blockbuster, Waitakere United host Auckland City for a game in which the international connection will play an important role.

The odds-makers have the home side as slight favourites which is a little surprising in light of the record between the two teams.

In their last meeting four weeks ago, also at Fred Taylor Park, City raced to 2-0 and led 3-1 after 52 minutes before holding on for a 3-2 victory to claim the ASB Charity Cup.

In 34 contests - in all competitions - between the central city and West Auckland clubs, Auckland City have won 16 times (although they lost one on appeal) and Waitakere eight.

But in a closer examination, there is little between the two teams.

Ten games have been drawn and another 16 decided by just the odd goal. Not that goal-scoring has been a problem. In those 33 meetings 108 goals have been scored at an average of 3.2 with the last two games - a win each - ending 3-2. There has never been a scoreless draw.

City travel after a gritty 4-2 win over Team Wellington in the ASB Premiership second round feature game which followed an equally-stirring 4-1 O-League triumph over Koloale in hot and sticky Honiara.

In both games the Ivan Vicelich-led side were well-served by their Spanish connection with Manel Exposito in particular showing out.

Exposito scored two in the win in the Solomons and another against Team Wellington while Argentine Emiliano Tade scored one in each and Costa Rican Luis Corrales, off the bench, score the third - after an earlier own goal - last Sunday.

United's international connection, too, is shining through. Fijian Roy Krishna has scored two in as many premiership outings and bagged five in the O-League romp over AS Tefana.

Krishna, who was frustrated by a wrist injury last season, has bounced back to his best and is part of a dangerous three-pronged attack with last season's golden boot Allan Pearce and South African-born Ryan de Vries.

Defensively Waitakere are shading City with Danny Robinson claiming clean sheets in the two premiership games and one O-League outing.

There is a settled look to their back four with Tim Myers, Jason Rowley and Luke Adams ever-present, while Aaron Scott has shared the fullback role with Ross McKenzie who continues to give coach Neil Emblen a selection conundrum.

Emblen is understandably wary of the threat City pose.

"Manel Exposito is the main threat," said Emblen. "You can tell by the way he plays he is a pro. We will want to keep the ball away from him as much as possible."

Overall, Emblen is happy with his team's start.

"We looked at the first five games and realised if we could win all five we would be in a strong position in the premiership and the O-League. We have been able to tick off the first three."

In other games tomorrow, YoungHeart Manawatu and Otago United - with a draw each - meet in the early game, Waikato FC face a tough task away to Team Wellington as they chase their first point and Hawkes Bay are at home to high-flying Canterbury United who have produced the star turn of the season in George Slefendorfas who has banged in six in two games.

NZ Premiership

Waitakere United v Auckland City
Fred Taylor Park
Tomorrow 2pm
Referee: Peter O'Leary.