After what can only be described as a humbling few weeks, with the girls only gaining three points from a possible nine, your City girls head to the federal capital today in hopes of returning to the winner’s list.

It is becoming very apparent that we do not have the lead required to continue on this path of topsy-turvy form as Western United notched their third win in a row yesterday.

Here are the three biggest talking points going into this one:

Score-fest inbound

It is no secret that we have been a free-scoring and wonderfully attacking side at times this season, but that has come with its own downsides, such as our habit to concede poor goals. Even though this fixture is first against last, Canberra has somehow scored the second-most goals in the league, only six behind us.

Of course, Canberra’s defensive woes have been much worse than ours, as the team in green has been unable to turn goals into wins. If we are to be at our best, and so are Canberra, we may see a cricket score for both sides.

I’d like to think our defensive structure has improved over the course of the season, but we cannot allow ourselves to fold over when the pressure is put on, as shown by a minor capitulation last week against Western.

Emina Ekic back in the squad

Returning from suspension after a red card against Wellington, Ekic will look to make an immediate impact, and may be champing at the bit to get on the pitch against a team with such a poor defensive record. If I were Ekic, I’d be licking my lips.

Valid data is difficult to come by in the A-Leagues, but according to FBRef.com, Ekic has scored six goals from an expected goal tally (xG) of only 1.7. If true, that is an incredible boast of clinical finishing for a forward at her absolute best.

Our joint top goal-scorer has been brilliant this season and will surely be straight back in the starting line-up this afternoon. Bryleeh Henry is the obvious candidate to move to the bench, allowing the likes of Rhianna Pollicina, Daniela Galic and Hannah Wilkinson to fill in the front line around our Bosnian-American superstar.

With so much pure firepower in the front third, City fans should be in for a treat today.

Plenty of time to reflect

It has been a massive 10 days since the girls last played against a Western United outfit on a title charge, but is that a bad thing? Since then, Dario Vidosic would have rightly put the girls to work, hopefully attempting to iron out these defensive issues that have plagued us right from the very start this season.

In a league where we definitely look to be the outright strongest, we simply cannot continue to concede such weak goals, especially when the title seems to be ours to lose. It may be a cocky thing to suggest, but I believe this squad is simply too talented to give up such a strong lead in the league. Therefore, Vidosic and his playing squad need to do everything in their power to realise their own potential completely and quickly.

End of season will be upon us quick; we’re already into the second month of 2024. Our focus must be on three points every time we step out onto the pitch. We have the squad, we have the coach, we have the playstyle… we need to take what is ours.

Score prediction: Canberra 2 – 4 City