Melbourne Victory host Wellington Phoenix at Etihad Stadium to finish off round four of the A-League.
Victory enter the match off a mid-week FFA Cup semi-final win over Hume City. Goals to Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and Jason Geria were enough to defeat the Victorian NPL side and earn the hosting rights to the final against Perth Glory.
The Melbourne club’s last A-League hit out was a less than impressive 1-0 loss to Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium. With a win, a draw and a loss in their opening three games, Victory will be looking to claim all three points but above all else but in a convincing shift against the Phoenix, reminding the league why they are the current champions.
On the other hand, this past week has been dominated by off-field dramas concerning the very existence of the Wellington Phoenix. While their long-term future in the competition is raising some serious questions, the Phoenix’s first three matches of the season have been great.
READ MORE: Is 2015-16 the final A-League season for New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix?
Wellington sit in third spot, with two wins and a loss to their name. Their round three win over Brisbane Roar at Westpac Stadium was an entertaining goal fest. Michael McGlinchey’s stunning free kick restored parity and Roy Krishna’s early second half goal gave the Phoenix the lead. At 2-2, substitute Blake Powell was able to produce a 78th minute winner.
Key Battle – Daniel Georgievski v Roy Krishna
Roy Krishna was one of the most exciting players in season 2014-15 and has kicked off the new campaign in brilliant fashion. The Fijian has two goals in as many games and is proving to be as much of a handful for the league’s full backs this season as he was last season.
With plenty of pace to burn the 28-year-old is becoming more accurate and potent in front of goal and will undoubtedly be looking to add to his tally on Monday night.
The man tasked with keeping Krishna quiet will be Daniel Georgievski. The versatile defender has been one of the constants in Victory’s defence over and has shown how solid his defensively. On top of that he has also scored some beautiful goals during his short time with the Victory and has been getting forward on more and more occasions.
Georgievski will have to be at his best to ensure Krishna doesn’t get on the scoresheet. The disparity in pace gives the Fijian a huge advantage heading into the clash.
Team News
Kevin Muscat has added Olyroos Jason Geria and Scott Galloway into an extended squad. With Nick Ansell still out with injury Leigh Broxham is most likely to continue in the centre of defence with one of either Geria or Galloway, more likely the former, replacing Dylan Murnane at fullback,
Melbourne Victory Expected XI (4-3-3): Vukovic (GK); Geria, Delpierre, Broxham, Georgievski; Bozanic, Valeri, Finkler: Barbarouses, Berisha, Khalfallah.
The Phoenix will be boosted by the return of club captain Andrew Durante into the heart of defence. However, this does leave head coach Ernie Merrick with a selection dilemma as Tom Doyle, Durante’s replacement, has been very good in his absence.
Wellington Phoenix Expected XI (4-3-3): Moss; Fenton, Durante, Sigmund, Muscat; Riera, Lia, Bonevacia; Krishna, McGlinchey, Sarpong.
Head-to-Head
Victory are utterly dominant in this fixture winning 14 games to Wellington’s four. In their 24 matches there have only been six draws, however, these sides haven’t shared the points since November 2010.
Previous Meeting
These two sides last met in Wellington in round 24 of last season. Melbourne came away with all three points, finding the back of the net three times. Gui Finkler opened the scoring within the first minute before a Durante own goal and an Archie Thompson tap-in sealed the victory.
Prediction
Despite this being the third game Victory will play in 11 days, their man management – with the likes of Khalfallah, Finkler and Georgievski on the bench for the FFA Cup semi – should ensure that fatigue is not a factor.
Wellington’s last trip to Melbourne to play the Victory resulted in a 3-2 win. Positive, attacking football has been a trademark of this Merrick-coached Phoenix team and they will look to do much of the same on Monday night.
Victory will be glad the match is being played at Etihad Stadium. The champions are unbeaten in their last eight games at the venue (W7 D1) and have scored three goals in each of the last four fixtures at the stadium.
If Victory can play at their lethal best, and the Phoenix continue to play their fearless style of football, plenty of goals and entertainment should be expected.
Melbourne Victory 2 Wellington Phoenix 2
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