WATCH: Cahill says Sydney will park the bus

Michael Huguenin

WATCH: Cahill says Sydney will park the bus image

Melbourne City's Tim Cahill has questioned whether Sydney FC's tactics will work in the A-League finals and believes the Sky Blues will have "11 behind the ball 24/7" on Friday night.

City will host Sydney at AAMI Park this week hoping to strengthen their hold on third spot in the A-League table by simultaneously handing the leaders their second straight loss.

Sydney's tilt at an unbeaten season came to an end last week when they lost the derby 1-0 to Western Sydney Wanderers, and Cahill has taken a shot at Graham Arnold's side.

While the Sky Blues have scored 41 goals in 20 A-League games this season - more than all other clubs apart from Melbourne Victory (42) - there has been criticism in some circles for the way they play.

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Sydney have averaged 48 per cent possession in 2016-17 with six clubs having had more of the ball than Arnold's men throughout the campaign.

City (58 per cent) have the highest average possession this season.

Cahill argued on Wednesday that City are always looking to attack.

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"There's no shadow of a doubt and when we lose attacking, and we know we've kept the ball and played well, at least when we watch the video we can work on things," the marquee forward said.

City sit fourth in the A-League for goals scored with 35 but will stay in third overall with a win against Sydney, who they also defeated in the 2016 FFA Cup Final with Cahill scoring the winner.

Tim Cahill Melbourne City v Sydney FC FFA Cup 30112016

Michael Valkanis' side have 30 points and are ahead of fourth-placed Brisbane Roar on goal difference, while Perth Glory - who are fifth - are just two points behind.

With the Sky Blues' bid to become the A-League's 'Invincibles' having come to an end, Cahill indicated Sydney could be threatened when the finals roll around.

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"When you're playing Sydney FC, you know they're going to come here and defend," he said.

"They're very unlikely to come out and attack because they know we have a lot going forward but they've based themselves on a manager that makes sure they're well-drilled.

"You see the way they play, all the midfield fuses back in. They wait and prey and there's 11 behind the ball 24/7, and I suppose you have to really respect that because that's the reason why they're at the top but at the same time, questions will be asked when it's about winning games at the right times.

"For us, we need to finish as high as possible but come finals time that's when everyone needs to be firing."

 

Michael Huguenin