Canadian Premier League — Match #64
Valour FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC
August 28, 2019 — IG Field (8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT)
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca

Two teams that know each other all too well will meet once more on Wednesday, as HFX Wanderers FC end their 18-day layoff with a visit to Valour FC in Winnipeg, as both sides look to climb out of the basement in the CPL.

Valour, 2-4-3 in Fall competition, sits sixth in the league, having dropped a 2-1 decision to Pacific FC on Saturday. They’re a long way removed from the dark days of their 11-game winless streak, but they’d quite like to bank a few more victories down the stretch. Coach Rob Gale was furious after Saturday’s loss, as his side saw a few controversial calls go against them in a game they perhaps could’ve won. So, Valour will hope to take their frustrations out on the Wanderers at home.

Having watched all the CPL action from afar the past couple weeks, HFX Wanderers find themselves at the bottom of the table with a 2-5-1 record. Their last outing provided plenty of cause for optimism, though, as they played Spring champions Cavalry FC to a gutsy 0-0 draw at home. They’ve also beaten Valour already in the Fall, a 1-0 triumph at Wanderers Grounds in early August.

Both clubs will return home to host a game in the CPL’s Labour Day doubleheader on Monday. HFX will take on FC Edmonton at Wanderers Grounds (1:00 p.m. ET, 2:00 p.m. AT, on OneSoccer), while Valour welcomes Cavalry FC to IG Field (3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. CT, on OneSoccer).

KEYS TO THE MATCH

• Better the devil you know: You’d be hard-pressed to find a pair of CPL sides that have butted heads more than these two. They played in a memorable Canadian Championship tie back in June, the second leg of which is, to this day, HFX’s only victory away from home against a CPL club. The Wanderers had the upper hand in the last four of their five meetings, although Valour’s triumph on May 11 was their first home win. These guys know each other, so they may skip an early feeling-out stage in this match.
• New-look defence: This will be the Wanderers’ first match without stalwart centre-back Peter Schaale commanding their defence, after he returned to Cape Breton University through the CPL-U Sports agreement. HFX signed 24-year-old Duran Lee to try and fill that void, and he could debut on Wednesday after training with the club throughout their time off. How the Wanderers cope with this change could determine whether or not they’re able to keep out Valour’s attack.
• Keep pace: HFX’s reputation as a team is one of a fast side that can do damage on the counter. Recently, especially since the return of Michael Petrasso, that’s an element that has started to emerge in Valour’s game. Take, for example, their goal against Pacific, which was created by Marco Bustos using his speed to create a gap and find an outlet. This should be a fast-paced game, and it’s crucial that Valour match the Wanderers’ quick ball movement and footspeed up the wings.

 PROJECTED LINEUPS

Valour FC: Mathias Janssens; Nicolas Galvis, Skylar Thomas, Adam Mitter, Diego Gutierrez; Jose Galan, Louis Béland-Goyette; Michael Petrasso, Dylan Carreiro, Marco Bustos; Michele Paolucci

HFX Wanderers FC: Christian Oxner; Ndzemdzela Langwa, Matthew Arnone, Duran Lee, Chrisnovic N’Sa; Andre Rampersad, Elliot Simmons; Zachary Sukunda, Tomasz Skublak, Akeem Garcia; Luis Alberto Perea

HEAD TO HEAD

May 11 – Valour FC 1-0 HFX Wanderers FC
June 5 – HFX Wanderers FC 2-1 Valour FC (CanChamp)
June 12 – Valour FC 0-2 HFX Wanderers FC (CanChamp)
June 26 – HFX Wanderers FC 2-0 Valour FC
August 5 – HFX Wanderers FC 1-0 Valour FC

STATS LEADERS

Michael Petrasso – 6 goals (Valour FC)
Akeem Garcia – 4 goals (HFX Wanderers FC)

INJURIES

Josip Golubar (Valour FC) – Out (ACL)
Tyson Farago (Valour FC) – Out
Martin Arguinarena (Valour FC) – Doubtful

INTERNATIONAL DUTY

Abd-El-Aziz Yousef (HFX Wanderers FC) – Somalia

SUSPENSIONS

Jordan Murrell (Valour FC)

ACCUMULATION
(Players are suspended for one match 14 days after accumulating a 4th Yellow Card)

Skylar Thomas (Valour FC) – 4 – (will miss Sept. 12 vs. Forge)
Diego Gutierrez (Valour FC) – 3
Ndzemdzela Langwa (HFX Wanderers FC) – 3
Matthew Arnone (HFX Wanderers FC) – 3
Chrisnovic N’Sa (HFX Wanderers FC) – 3
Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers FC) – 3

REFEREES

Referee: Yusri Rudolf
ARs: Graham Forsyth & Marko Kalic
4th Official: Nicolas Joubert