PREVIEW: HFX Wanderers FC vs. Valour FC – Match #30

The battle for third place in the CPL continues in the last week of the Spring season, as Valour FC pays a visit to Nova Scotia for a date with HFX Wanderers FC. Valour (3-5-0) is the only side that didn't play over the weekend, having played last Thursday at home in a loss to Pacific FC. They're currently riding a four-game losing skid across all competitions, including both legs of their Canadian Championship tie against HFX. The Wanderers, on the other hand, currently sit a point behind Valour with a 2-2-4 record, most recently playing York9 FC to a toothless 0-0 draw at York Lions Stadium. Stephen Hart's side has been frustrated by injuries lately, and they could use a strong final home game in the Spring campaign. These clubs know each other well by now, having met once in the league and twice in their Canadian Championship tie (a decisive aggregate win for HFX Wanderers). This time, they're jockeying for position in the Spring season's final table, which currently has four clubs on eight points and Valour on nine. Up next, both clubs will return to the pitch on Canada Day for the CPL's Spring finale. Valour will be back home at IG Field to take on York9 (6:00 p.m. ET, 5:00 p.m. CT, on OneSoccer), while HFX heads out to Alberta to play FC Edmonton (6:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m. MT, on OneSoccer).

• Work with what you've got: Both clubs are dealing with some serious injury issues. The Wanderers have been without striker Luis Alberto Perea for a while, and another key attacking threat in Mohamed Kourouma missed out last game. Valour, too, is missing important pieces, with Stephen Hoyle and Michael Petrasso both sidelined last time out. Whichever side is best able to cope with being shorthanded should come out on top this week.
• Play through Bustos: The Winnipeg-born attacker has been arguably the brightest spot in Valour's lineup recently, showing an ability to both create chances and score wondergoals on his own. If Rob Gale's side is indeed still missing players like Petrasso and Hoyle, then pretty much the entire attack will have to go through Bustos, who should be up for the job.
• Return to form: Two weeks ago, when HFX eliminated Valour from the Canadian Championship, things seemed to be trending upward for the Wanderers. Since then, they've got one loss and one draw with just one goal. Stephen Hart knew how his side could break down Valour in that CanChamp tie and they executed well, so this is a good chance for them to get their feet back under them against a familiar foe.

HFX Wanderers FC: Jan-Michael Williams; Ndzemdzela Langwa, Matthew Arnone, Peter Schaale, Andre Bona; Elliot Simmons, Elton John; Kodai Iida, Andre Rampersad, Akeem Garcia; Thomasz Skublak

Valour FC: Mathias Janssens; Martin Arguinarena, Jordan Murrell, Adam Mitter, Diego Gutierrez; Raphael Ohin, Louis Béland-Goyette; Dylan Carreiro, Marco Bustos, Ali Musse; Calum Ferguson



1. Will a player play 5 minutes or less?

Yes. With two matches on Wednesday that have Spring competition implications, it is a very plausible scenario to see either Bobby Smyrniotis or Tommy Wheeldon Jr. use a substitution late in the second half to kill time off.

2. Will a team's duels won % be higher than their possession %?

Usually the answer should be no, but for a matchup such as York9 vs. Cavalry it would not be surprising to see York9 significantly behind in the possession category.

3. Which team will win more fouls?

You have to have possession of the ball in order to be fouled. It is a safe bet to pick the team you believe will have more possession in the match as the team that will also win more fouls.

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