UNITED’S GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY

WESTERN United can ill-afford to blow a golden opportunity to get its A-league premiership bid back on track when it meets the competition’s worst team, Perth Glory, in Launceston on Saturday.

United has won just one of its past six matches and suffered an embarrassing 4-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix in its last start.

However, despite the form slump, second-placed United remains within striking distance of top-of-the-table Melbourne City.

The John Aloisi-coached team is eight points adrift of City but has played three less matches than the competition leader, meaning United’s premiership destiny is in its own hands.

But United must also contend with third-placed Melbourne Victory, which meets the Jets in Newcastle on Saturday night.

Victory is just three points behind United in a title race being dominated by Victorian clubs.

While Glory hasn’t won in 13 matches, Aloisi isn’t treating the clash as a “must-win”.

However, there is no doubt that failing to beat Perth would put a massive dent in United’s title bid and leave Aloisi’s men in danger of eventually being overtaken by Victory.

“There’s never a must-win, it’s ‘must-prepare’ properly for a game and ‘must-prepare’ well for a game ... we don’t even talk about the result,” Aloisi said.

“We know that if process and the preparations are right, and we’re playing at our best, that we’ll get the result we want.

“We know there are five games left, we’re aware of the position we’re in, but we’re not talking about ‘we must finish top’, ‘ we must finish top two’ ... we’re just focused on performing well against Perth.”

Aloisi admitted his players’ pride “took a hit” in the loss to the Phoenix and predicted a “response” against the Glory.

“It’s probably the most intense I’ve seen them train all season,” Aloisi said, reflecting on sessions this week.

“When you lose, it’s hard, especially when you haven’t lost too often and then to lose by such a margin is even worse.

“(We’re) excited about the game now because when you train like that you normally perform at that level.”

Victory is also keen to bounce back at Mcdonald Jones Stadium this weekend after being held to a 0-0 midweek draw at AAMI Park by competition battlers Brisbane Roar.

However, the Tony Popoviccoached team will have to the get job done without midfielder Jake Brimmer, who has been ruled out through concussion protocols following a collision in his side’s clash with Brisbane.

But in better news for Victory, defender Matt Spiranovic is set to return after being rested against the Roar.