Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic says it will be a special feeling heading back to Western Sydney this weekend but he's not sure how Wanderers fans will receive him.
Popovic was the Wanderers' inaugural coach and defied all odds to guide the club to the 2014 Asian Champions League title.
But the Wanderers have struggled since Popovic quit the club on the eve of last season to take up a job in Turkey.
Western Sydney finished seventh last season and currently sit in eighth spot - 12 points adrift of the top six.
Popovic's stint in Turkey was short lived but he has since transformed Perth Glory into an A-League powerhouse.
Glory sit nine points clear on top of the table and will extend their unbeaten run to a new club record 11 games if they can avoid a loss in Sunday's clash with the Wanderers at Spotless Stadium.
Popovic has already faced the Wanderers twice this season - a 1-1 draw in round one and a 4-3 win in round 13.
Both those games were in Perth and Popovic is looking forward to heading to Western Sydney's home patch this Sunday to see some familiar faces.
But how the crowd will greet him remains to be seen.
"You don't know with fans what the reaction will be," Popovic said.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure deep down they'll respect the time we had together. How they show that will be up to them.
"I've got fantastic memories from my time there. I still have a lot of friends there and I'm sure I'll see them before and after.
"But during the game it's business as usual. We want the three points."
Glory showcased their attacking flair with a 4-0 thrashing of Brisbane last week.
But they have also been a rock in defence, conceding just one goal in their past six matches.
The Wanderers are riding a mini wave of confidence after following up their 2-0 win over Central Coast with a shock 3-1 win over Adelaide.
The Wanderers will be without suspended skipper Brendan Hamill but striker Mark Bridge has been recalled for his first game of the season after recovering from injury.
Glory defenders Alex Grant (abdomen) and Tomislav Mrcela (thigh) are still sidelined.