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Bulls eye happy A-League home return

3 minute read

Macarthur coach Ante Milicic says the A-League newcomers are keen to get back to Campbelltown Stadium and rediscover their winning form against Western United.

ANTE MILICIC. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Five weeks after their last game at Campbelltown Stadium, Macarthur FC will welcome their return home as they attempt to arrest their sliding A-League form.

The Bulls have played four consecutive away games, losing three - including their past two on the bounce - and face a stern test against Western United on Saturday.

"Obviously we haven't had the results we've been looking for on the road but it's good to be back at home," coach Ante Milicic said.

"We're always looking for improvements and we take a lot of learnings from those defeats."

The game comes a month after United thumped Macarthur 4-1 in Ballarat.

"They were better than us on the day and full credit to the opposition coaching staff," Milicic said.

"But every game there's three points up for grabs and irrespective of who the opponent is, the league's shown it's difficult.

"But we're at home, we've suffered two defeats now in a row and we really need to not get too fixated with the result but we've got to keep being a bit more consistent with our performances.

"If we play our football and if we can manage the moments in the game a little bit better, that gives us a chance of getting three points."

United are just three points below Macarthur and are back in form after beating Brisbane 1-0.

"They obviously have lost a couple on the trot and we've got our tails up and we're playing some good football and we're in a good place," coach Mark Rudan said on Thursday.

"...We know that they're looking for a reaction and we've got to make sure that we don't allow that reaction to happen."

Rudan said skipper Alessandro Diamanti and striker Besart Berisha were in contention to start after coming off the bench against Brisbane.

Goalkeeper Filip Kurto has recovered from concussion but could struggle to win back his spot after deputy Ryan Scott starred against the Roar.

STATS THAT MATTER

* United and Macarthur have played just once, with United winning 4-1

* Macarthur striker Matt Derbyshire has scored seven goals in 12 games, including one against United

* United have lost their past three games in NSW