90+3 min: Last-chance saloon as Wanderers get a corner at the death... it hits the defender and bounces back out. That could be it.

90+2min: Ryall goes into the book. He won’t mind too much. More time being chewed up. Wanderers throwing men forward.

90 min: We’re into stoppage time, and there’s four minutes of it. Melbourne City scored twice in less time last week. Can Wanderers force a result?

85 min: It’s chipped into the box, and Simon rises high, but he can’t get any direction on it and the danger passes.

84 min: Simon goes down under a challenge from Topor-Stanley, who goes into the book. Dangerous position for a free-kick, maybe a little too far out for a shot.

83 min: Wanderers still happy to knock it about among themselves. Understandable. They’re even creating a few in-roads. What’s a little more baffling is Sydney are allowing them to do it - very little urgency to say it’s all square and they’re the home team

82 min: Final change for Wanderers, on comes Bridge for Nichols.

80 min: That was almost - ALMOST - a decent bit of play from Sydney. Simon was inches away from connecting with a diving header. Then a neat dummy from Tavares almost created a shot for Brosque, but he was too slow off the mark to take advantage of the wrong-footed defence.

77 min: Still nada from Sydney. Even when they get into a decent position they fluff it. Tavares the guilty party this time, floating a hapless cross harmlessly wide just as the Sky Blues were looking to break.

75 min: Only 15 minutes to go and I’m struggling to recall any chances that should have been buried. Wanderers have had a couple of shots here and there but nothing really too threatening... except, of course, for the goal that was chalked off.

72 min: Simon comes on for Smeltz, who’s been largely anonymous. I know more than a few Sydney fans who tipped Simon to come off the bench and score the winner tonight. And more than a few who think he’ll come on and get sent off. Either way, he should liven things up.

71 min: Janjetovic almost spills it! A high ball into the box should have been dealt with easily but he flaps at it and, luckily for him, it falls to safety. He was clearly distracted by Piovaccari who jumped with his hand purely f the intention of putting off the keeper. It worked.

69 min: It’s still not a classic but there’s definitely been a surge in the number of half-chances, mainly for Wanderers. Tired legs starting to tell after 70 minutes of hard slog.

67 min: Ninkovic is a little too clever while trying to jink through two defenders and the ball is prodded away. Wanderers go straight up the other end. Piovaccari turns his man, but Jurman just pressures him enough to block the eventual shot.

65 min: Faty goes in the book for a little niggle on Vidosic. Bit harsh for my money, although there’s definitely a little more tension in the air than there was five minutes ago. First few signs that the game is getting stretched.

63 min: An attendance of 40,539 is announced over the Tannoy. Not too shabby, just a shame the game hasn’t lived up to it so far.

62 min: Wanderers are definitely starting to gain an edge, although it’s hardly siege city. Will Sydney’s subs make a difference? Not much evidence they will so far. The visitors are still threatening.

60 min: Sydney with a double substitution. Holosko and Dimitrijevic come off for Hoole and Tavares. The only surprise is it’s taken Arnie this long to shake things up.

59 min: Is that a trip by Ryall in the box on Sotorio? Referee says no. I’m inclined to agree. Would have been harsh.

58 min: Nichols again on the attack, getting to the edge of the box before unleashing a shot that’s way too high. Poor finish, but more promising in terms of chances.

54 min: Finally a flicker of goalmouth action. Vidosic barrels through to the edge of the area and fires a low one that the keeper does well to parry. It won’t quite fall for Nichols but he wins a corner nonetheless. It’s wasted though, going straight to Janjetovic.

52 min: Neville follows through a little too hard during a tackle on Grant. Neville stays down and holds his leg ... and he’s off too. Substituted I mean, not sent off - although it could have been either. Hamill’s the man who comes on.

50 min: Sydney still showing a surprising lack of intent in terms of attack. Don’t think it’s down to awesome defensive work from the visitors either. The Sky Blues need a spark. Wanderers are happy to knock it around on the halfway line.

49 min: The low corner bobbles, hobbles and, erm, fobbles into the box but it seems to escape everyone before eventually falling to Topor-Stanley who thumps it to safety.

48 min: Nice ball by Grant releases Ninkovic down the left. He’s tackled, but wins the corner... which is Sydney’s first.

45 min: Almost half-time, and Wanderers will definitely be the happier side, although it’s not exactly been thrilling viewing. Two minutes of stoppage time.

43 min: Chance for a late flourish? Vidosic nails a header from a deep corner but it’s cleared off the line by Brosque.

41 min: It’s all very “meh” as we approach the the halfway stage. How many times can I play my “remember the Melbourne derby” card? Faty tries to release Grant down the right but his first touch takes it too far and he’s easily shepherded out.

39 min: Not sure if it’s classed as a spell of pressure, but Sydney conjure up a bit of possession in the Wanderers’ box. The defence stands up well though and the danger is soon cleared. In the context of this game, it was a veritable siege.

37 min: And there’s another yellow card. Late and high from Neville on Jurman, who flies theatrically into the air. Williams making up for lost time.

35 min: The most surprising thing so far is it’s a Sydney derby being officiated by Ben Williams and there haven’t been any cards so far.... no sooner have I typed that then Dimitrijevic goes in the book for a needless swing with his boot.

32 min: Sydney creeping into some decent positions, but still haven’t created too much. They’re getting more possession in the final third. Wanderers waiting to pounce on the break.

30 min: Wanderers still seem like the team most likely - although neither side looks particularly likely. Grant charges down the left after being released by Brosque, but his eventual shot is high, wide and not so handsome.

28 min: Well there’s not been much flair on the field, but there’s been at least a couple in the stands. Patience seems to be the order of the day, both sides hoping for a mistake without making one themselves.

26 min: Vidosic with a header, but he can’t get much power on it and it sails wide anyway. Not sure he would’ve troubled Janjetovic even if he’d hit the target. Moments later, Janjetovic is centimetres from handling the ball outside his area after claiming a high one. Replays show he juuuust manages to keep the ball inside.

22 min: It’s turning into a real midfield tussle, with both teams closing each other down as quickly as possible. Not that the fans seem to mind. Plenty of chanting from both sets.

20 min: Well it’s not lived up to the hype so far... but don’t forget last week’s Melbourne derby took an hour to warm up and then - kaboom - as exciting a half-hour as you’re likely to see in the A-League. No one seems to be taking the game by the scruff of the neck - or any other part of the anatomy - yet.

17 min: Jurman can’t get above a deep cross into the box and his header sails harmlessly wide. A bit better from Sydney but they’re still struggling to penetrate.

16 min: I’m still not convinced by this Wanderers defence. For a second there it looked like an aimless ball into the box was going to be left by three defenders - who all seemed to want the other take responsibility. On the plus side, they’ve looked dangerous going forward. It’s Sydney on the offensive now though.

14 min: Even stevens so far, with Wanderers perhaps shading it a touch. No clear-cut chances yet though, Castelan perhaps coming closest. They go close again with Dimas trying to steer a knockdown header towards goal - but somehow missing. His blushes are spared by an offside call.

12 min: Jurman gets nobbled by Piovaccari for a free-kick - and on comes Vidosic. Finally.

10 min: Still waiting for the ball to go out... Wanderers have been playing with 10 men for over a minute now. Sydney look to exploit it but are almost caught on the counter.

8 min: Bad news for Wanderers. Castelan hobbles off with what looks like a hamstring strain. He’d looked sharp too. Vidosic comes on earlier than anticipated... or rather he will when the ball next goes out of play.

7 min: Castelan goes close up the other end. It’s livening up.

6 min: Ooooo! Ninkovic flashes one inches wide from the edge of the box. The Wanderers defence were caught a little flat-footed trying to close him down. Not the first time that’s been said this season.

4 min: Well it’s not exactly been a blood ‘n’ guts start, both sides seem content to try and get their foot on the ball - with varying degrees of success. Wanderers still slightly on top but little in it.

2 min: It’s a decent one into the mixer but Ryall gets a confident head on it and Sydney are safe. Still Wanderers making the early running though.

No tifo, but plenty of scarves held aloft by Sky Blues fans - as the Cove requested after this morning’s antics.

The players emerge onto the pitch. Still no sign of the tifo though.

Not long now. Fox Sports are doing their best to big up the game by showing old highlights to music that sounds like it’s from the exciting bits in Lord of the Rings.

The teams for tonight...

Sydney FC: Janjetovic; Grant, Jurman, Faty, Ryall; Dimitrijevic, O’Neill, Brosque, Ninkovic, Holosko; Smeltz. Subs: Necevski, Gersbach, Hoole, Simon, Tavares

Western Sydney Wanderers: Redmayne; Jamieson, Topor-Stanley, Aguilar, Neville; Andreu, Dimas; Sotirio, Nichols, Castelen, Piovaccari. Subs: Bouzanis, Hamill, Pepper, Vidosic, Bridge

Just going back to Graham Arnold’s comments, the secret to his sledging success is he often sugarcoats it with sense.

In the same press conference, he was asked if he thought Tony Popovic was under pressure following last year’s awful season and a slow start this year. It was a perfect chance to turn the heat up, but instead he came out with this.

I think he will be very calm because he’s just signed a new four-year contract. I don’t think there’s any pressure on Tony Popovic at all ... The only pressure is the pressure that he puts on himself, like we all do. One of the big challenges in the A-League, or even coaching in general if you look at the NRL and [Penrith coach] Ivan Cleary this week, coaching is a tough gig and it’s about trying to be one of the four or five that survive each year - who don’t get the sack. But at the end of the day it’s a pressure I don’t look at. I don’t feel that kind of pressure.

Of course this isn’t the first big-city derby this season. While its arguable that the Melbourne match-up doesn’t boast the same level of rivalry as its Sydney counterpart in the stands, last week’s clash between Victory and City was full of fireworks on the pitch (and I’m not just talking about the flares). I’d certainly settle for another five-goal thriller tonight.

Not that we want to see any of the “violence” that marred last week’s clash, as selectively reported by the AFL media in Melbourne, which resulted in 10 people being booted out of the stadium and a grand total of zero arrests . Just look at this secret footage leaked to an MCG-based journalist of ferocious fighting in the stands at Etihad. Shocking.

Seriously, though, do you think the A-League has a problem with its image, or is it just another blatant beat-up by journalists from a rival code? I don’t want to say too much in case I jinx it - especially as the fuse has already been lit tonight #tifogate

Brisbane’s perfect start has come to an end in Wellington - 3-2 to the Phoenix. Still very early doors, but it means Sydney have a chance to go top tonight.

Graham Arnold shocked everyone when he revealed at a press conference the venue for tonight’s clash had been shifted from Allianz Stadium to a secret mansion somewhere in Sydney. It was only when journalists noticed a well-thumbed copy of “Arnie’s Big Book of Mind Games” on the table that the jig was up.
For those who missed his blatant pot-stirring antics, here are the full quotes from Arnie talking up the Sydney derby.

We go out to their little shed – there’s only 16,000-19,000 out there. It’s a one-night opportunity for the Wanderers to come out and come to the big city of Sydney, but also to our mansion. And 45,000 people in a full house and a great atmosphere, let’s make a good spectacle of it.

We can never go in with the underdog status. The Wanderers are trying to get to where Sydney FC are in terms of the size of the club, but also the training facilities and everything. So the Wanderers are new, they’re young. We said it last year, they’re our younger brothers down the road and we’ve got to make sure that we are the bigger club and the elder statesman.

Already we have some big news from Allianz Stadium, and no Graham Arnold hasn’t followed up his “welcome to the mansion” fun and games by mooning the Wanderers team bus as it pulls into the stadium.

Reports have emerged that Sydney FC’s tifo for tonight’s match has been stolen. We’ll let you take a second to gasp and digest the news.

According to the Cove’s Facebook page, the warehouse where the tifo was stored was broken into overnight and, well, we’re sure you can figure out the rest.

It seems some people on Twitter aren’t taking the news as seriously as others...

Richard Gadsby will be along shortly. In the meantime, allow David Squires to entertain you with his take on tonight’s big game in Sydney.