Ahead of the 2015-16 season’s third Big Blue, Outside90’s Nathan John selects the best combined starting team between the two old rivals.
Melbourne Victory will be looking to back up an impressive Asian Champions League win over Shanghai SIPG, while Graham Arnold’s side are licking their wounds after an away loss to Urawa Red Diamonds.
The Victory have claimed wins in both meetings between the sides so far this campaign, but the Sky Blues are well represented nonetheless.
Vedran Janjetovic – Goalkeeper – Sydney FC
Often maligned for his occasional calamitous errors, Janjetovic edges ahead of Victory counterpart Danny Vukovic by two clean sheets, with an equal league leading seven after 20 rounds. He will start Saturday’s season defining clash in good form, having made two noteworthy saves last weekend to deny the the Wanderers a drought breaking derby win.
Jason Geria – Right-back – Melbourne Victory
An athletic young defender who positions himself well to cut off opposition wingers, Geria’s improvement in the last 18 months has been rapid. The Olyroo has also demonstrated an ability to push forward and link up with winger Kosta Barbarouses, a trait well suited to Melbourne Victory’s attacking philosophy.
Matthew Jurman – Centre-back – Sydney FC
A member of the stingiest centre-back pairing in the A-League, Jurman has regularly impressed in big games for the Sky Blues this season. Arguably his side’s best in the two most recent Sydney derbies, Jurman was unlucky to concede a late own-goal in the last Big Blue, and will be keen to make amends on Saturday night.
Matthieu Delpierre – Centre-back – Melbourne Victory
A former Bundesliga winner with VfB Stuttgart, Delpierre’s selection ahead of Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Gui Finkler in Victory’s AFC Champions League squad highlights his value to the side. The towering Frenchman’s aerial presence, assertive nature and precise passing make him an integral piece in Melbourne’s back four.
Seb Ryall – Left-back – Sydney FC
Unlikely to be a popular choice among Melbourne Victory fans, Ryall wins a place in this team by way of his versatility in defence and his attacking instincts. Caught flat-footed last weekend as Mark Bridge sprinted by to assist Dario Vidosic’s opener, Ryall will be careful not to make the same mistake against speedy Victory wingers Kosta Barbarouses and Ben Khalfallah.
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Mickael Tavares – Central-midfield – Sydney FC
A calming influence in the centre of the park for the Sky Blues, Tavares is critical to limiting the output of the competition’s most creative midfielders. Rewarded for impressive recent form with a place in Sydney’s AFC Champions League squad, the Senegalese midfielder will seek to curb the influence of Finkler and Oliver Bozanic on Saturday night.
Milos Ninkovic – Central-midfield – Sydney FC
The fulcrum of Sydney FC’s formation, Ninkovic’s penetrative passing and ability to retain possession are crucial to the club’s chances of retaining a spot in the A-League’s top six. Capable of playing as a midfielder or as a winger, the former Dynamo Kyiv ace has settled as a central-attacking midfielder, forming an impressive partnership with Filip Holosko.
Gui Finkler – Central-midfield – Melbourne Victory
Snubbed for Victory’s AFC Champions League squad, Finkler has every right to feel aggrieved. The Brazilian is the influence behind Melbourne’s quick and aggressive front three, and the void he left in the side was obvious in the club’s win over Shanghai SIPG. However, his omission could benefit his side in another sense, with the 30-year-old playmaker’s decreased workload giving him a strong chance to lift the Victory back into A-League championship contention.
Kosta Barbarouses – Right-wing – Melbourne Victory
Blessed with blistering pace and a knack for finding the back of the net, Barbarouses is dangerous when out of sorts and near unstoppable when in form. While the 26-year-old has missed the supply from midfielders Mark Milligan (now at Baniyas SC) and Carl Valeri (out indefinitely), he has enjoyed a productive season nonetheless. The New Zealand international is rumoured to be returning to hometown club Wellington Phoenix at season’s end, but has a critical role to play for Kevin Muscat in the meantime.
Fahid Ben Khalfallah – Left-wing – Melbourne Victory
The Tunisian winger rounds out an attack with a strong navy blue hue. After taking home the Victory Medal as the club’s best player last season, Khalfallah’s output has dipped somewhat, which was partially the reason for his omission from the club’s ACL squad. However, as with Finkler, there is a silver lining and the playmaker has found some good form in recent weeks. The comparatively lesser workload could revitalise him ahead of a late charge for the A-League title.
Besart Berisha – Striker – Melbourne Victory
One of the most polarising figures in the competition, the Albanian is the crowning jewel at Melbourne Victory. A formidable presence up front, Berisha’s 14 goal tally for the season is beaten only by Melbourne City sensation Bruno Fornaroli, and his pressing game is second to none. With a love of scoring in pivotal moments, Berisha could be the difference if the Big Blue goes down to the wire.
Bench: Danny Vukovic (GK), Jacques Faty, Leigh Broxham, Oliver Bozanic, Filip Holosko
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