Melbourne Victory host Perth Glory in their Boxing Day clash at AAMI Park for round 12 of the A-League.
The reigning champions broke a record recently, losing their fourth consecutive game in last weekend’s 2-1 derby loss. The club has never gone that long without earning some points and it is a trend Kevin Muscat and his men will be hoping to end on Sunday. While the results have left plenty to be desired, the on-field performances have been respectable.
Their second half against Melbourne City was outstanding but that equalising goal remained elusive. There is no cause for concern at the club but in saying this everyone in navy knows that the results need to come now.
Perth, on the other hand, have hit a decent patch of form and are unbeaten in three after back to back wins over Central Coast Mariners and the Victory, before a 2-2 draw with league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night. The run of good results has seen the Glory move up to eighth on the ladder and they will want to continue their ascent over the holiday period.
The Glory have already welcomed back Josh Risdon into the starting XI and will see Andy Keogh re-enter the fray come January. Overall things are looking up for the team out west.
Key Battle – Besart Berisha vs Michael Thwaite
If any man is capable of turning the Victory’s fortunes around it is Besart Berisha. In a similar vein if any many is capable of stopping Berisha it is Michael Thwaite.
Victory’s Albanian striker has taken on the brunt of the goal scoring duties, largely due to the absence of Archie Thompson and quietness of Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Kosta Barbarouses on the scoring front.
Berisha netted Victory’s lone goal in the derby, his first from open play since round six against Sydney. As the spearhead of the attack and arguably the beat striker the league has ever seen, he will know just how much the team needs him to be finishing.
Thwaite has been one of Perth’s best this season, playing every minute of every match so far this campaign. His move forward from the backline, into the holding midfielder position, gave the midfield a calmness and allowed him to be the distributor of the team; he has attempted the most passes of all the Glory players.
A move back to the centre of defence will see Thwaite come up against Berisha in what is likely to be an intriguing battle.
Team News
Melbourne Victory will have a very strong squad to pick from for this match. Rashid Mahazi will be unavailable after picking up an injury in the derby on Saturday.
Perth’s injury list has a few names on it with the likes Dino Djulbic and Sidnei Sciola out of action. Captain Richard Garcia could make a return to the starting XI against the Victory.
Head-to-Head
These teams are evenly matched in their overall head-to-had having won 12 games apiece. There have been eight draws in total, with the most common score line between the teams being a 2-1 win to the Victory.
Previous Meeting
These teams met only last week in their mid-week catch up fixture. The Glory were the winners on that occasion, securing a surprise 1-0 win.
Substitute Diego Castro’s tap in was enough for the home side to secure all three points.
Prediction
Although these two sides met recently, a repeat performance is unlikely. The Victory will be playing at home after four consecutive away games and are currently undefeated this season when playing at their home ground.
Melbourne will be fired up and desperate for a win, and the Glory will still be feeling confident due to their recent run of god results.
All in all, fans should be treated to an entertaining contest but the Victory should break their losing streak.
Melbourne Victory 2 Perth Glory 1
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