Melbourne Victory host league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers in what is sure to be an entertaining clash at Etihad Stadium.
Victory’s mid-season revival hit a snag last week with the team going down 3-2 to Perth Glory at nib Stadium. Two quick Glory goals put the visitors on the back foot before Besart Berisha got them back in the game with a brilliant turn and finish. Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s confusing sending off hurt the Victory and despite another Berisha goal, Perth ultimately prevailed.
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Western Sydney played in arguably the best game of the season and found themselves 4-3 winners over Melbourne City at Pirtek Stadium. In a match that had everything, the Wanderers watched a 3-0 lead courtesy of Mitch Nichols and a Mark Bridge brace be almost completely overturned after two City goals in as many minutes. The final 10 minutes saw City down to 10 men, Brendon Santalab add a fourth off the bench and Erik Paartalu score an injury time consolation goal.
Key Battle – Leigh Broxham v Mitch Nichols
In what will be Leigh Broxham’s 200th match for the Victory he will be tasked with keeping one of the most in form players in the league quiet. Broxham has once again lived up to his description as a utility player, spending time as a centre back, full back and defensive midfielder this season. It is that last position which Broxham will occupy as he comes up against Mitch Nichols, whose eight goals and three assists this campaign are close to his best figures for a season in the A-League.
Team News
Victory have two forced changes to deal with following Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s red card and Rashid Mahazi’s fifth yellow of the season – both of which earn the men one week suspensions. Club captain Carl Valeri has also been officially ruled out for the rest of the season due to the brain condition which has kept him out since round eight.
The Wanderers have a full squad at their disposal and their extended match day team happens to include Federico Piovaccari – whether or not the Italian will see any action on game day remains to be seen. Coach Tony Popovic is unlikely to tinker with his side.
Head to head
These sides have met 10 times with Victory winning five of those encounters to Western Sydney’s four. There has only ever been one stalemate between the clubs – a 1-1 draw in December 2013 – and Victory have only ever lost once at home to the Wanderers, back in February of season 2012-13.
Previous Meeting
The teams last met in round 10 with the Wanderers winning 2-0 at Pirtek Stadium.
Prediction
This match is incredibly important for both sides. The Wanderers will stay top of the table for another week if they win; the Victory will edge their way closer to that top position before they are hampered by Asian Champions League commitments if they win. There are a lot of factors in Victory’s favour. They are unbeaten at Etihad Stadium this season and have won four of their last five encounters with the team from Western Sydney. After last week’s showing, the Wanderers proved their championship credentials as finals football inches its way closer. These contests usually have a fire to them and should also have plenty of goals.
Melbourne Victory 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 3
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