Bozza: Ono key to Wanderers upset

Superstar ... Shinji Ono will be key to breaking the Mariners' defence. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

In a top-of-the-table clash like this - and at the risk of making myself redundant - it's men and moments that make the difference more than tactical masterplans.

Mariners analysis

The small details matter, players finding any extra percentage to win their battles.

Both teams are supremely fit, but Central Coast Mariners do have Wednesday night's Asian Champions League game to contend with, making Graham Arnold's use of his bench important (assuming injuries don't disrupt his best-laid plans).

His most important weapon comes on the flanks in the shape of fullbacks Pedj Bojic and Josh Rose, with their combination of pace and power in defence and attack.

The Wanderers will be tempted to leave Youssouf Hersi and Mark Bridge as high as possible up the field, giving Bojic and Rose the quandary of how often they bomb forward and leave the opposing wingers with space to work in.

If Bridge and Hersi can sow any seeds of doubt, that immediately reduces the impact of one of the Mariners' most important attacking weapons - though both Bridge and Hersi will find it hard to kick the natural habit of tracking back.

Up front for the Mariners, the likes of Mitch Duke, Bernie Ibini and Daniel McBreen have to use clever running to move around the Wanderers' defensive twin rocks Michael Beauchamp and Nikolai Topor-Stanley, otherwise they're a formidable pairing.

WANDERERS ANALYSIS

This week has dragged by and it will be fascinating to see whether Western Sydney Wanderers can handle the expectation that's beginning to build on them.

See the top-of-the-table clash exclusively LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD from 7.30pm (EDT) tonight.

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The Mariners had their ACL game to focus on, but all week the spotlight has been on the Wanderers and the public expectation is mounting.

They are often more effective away from home, though in many ways this will feel like a home fixture such are the numbers of red-and-black clad fans supposedly heading for Bluetongue Stadium.

In such a tight game, one of their key players is Shinji Ono. Consequently part of Tony Popovic's game plan has to be constructed around creating time and space for his marquee man to operate in.

At every opportunity Mark Bridge and Youssouf Hersi have to get on their bikes and target the Mariners' back four, forcing them back.

Similarly, whether it's Dino Kresinger or Joey Gibbs or whoever upfront, they have to target getting in behind the defence with mobility being the key.

The aim is to spread the Mariners and give Ono and the rest of the midfield room to work in.

You'd ordinarily assume Mateo Poljak would come back in, but Iacopo La Rocca has done well and Aaron Mooy scored his first goal last weekend.

The Mariners are the only side the Wanderers haven't beaten yet, or even scored against. That shows you just how tight this fixture will be.

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