Melbourne City host Perth Glory at AAMI Park on Sunday in the second elimination final with both sides coming into the game in poor form.
However, the quality in attacking areas cannot be understated.
Andy Keogh’s consecutive goalscoring run came to a halt at eight games against Sydney FC last week – an Australian record, while Bruno Fornaroli’s 24-goal-season is class that the football public in this country is not yet accustomed to.
Key Battle – Diego Castro vs Osama Malik
The star Spaniard returns, and will be full of confidence after winning Fox Sports’ Alex Tobin award for the 2015/16 campaign. Osama Malik was given the run-around by Castro the last time these two sides met, and after a sub-par performance against Adelaide United last week, a lift in form is required if City are to progress to week two of the finals series.
City have looked at their best this season with Malik at the base of midfield, allowing Mooy a greater licence to attack and less defensive responsibility, however, back-to-back losses suggests that while the initial promise was there, opposition teams may have figured out how to nullify this once-potent midfield. If Malik cannot stem the flow of Perth’s attacks, led by Castro in his free attacking role, the visitors will win this contest comfortably.
Congrats to our #foxfootball 2015-16 Alex Tobin Medal Winner @PerthGloryFC @ALeague. Well played, Diego Castro pic.twitter.com/OSbB8xSApD
— FOX SPORTS Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) April 11, 2016
Team News
Harry Novillo’s two match ban rules him out, and pending on the success of the appeal to have the ban reduced, will rule the Frenchman out of next week’s semi final if City advance at the expense of the West Australians. Young forward Marc Marino should take his place in the starting line up alongside Fornaroli.
Veteran defender Aaron Hughes has been added to the squad, along with James Brown and Ben Garuccio.
It is unclear how John Van’t Schip will set up for this match. Connor Chapman’s deployment at left full-back was underwhelming in last week’s costly loss to Adelaide, while Jacob Melling’s half-time substitution suggests his anonymous performance will not be rewarded with another starting spot.
Glory coach Kenny Lowe welcomes back Diego Castro and Chris Harold to the fold and should set up quite similarly to the round 26 win over City.
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Expected XI
Melbourne City (4-3-3): Thomas Sorensen (GK), Ivan Franjic, Patrick Kisnorbo, Alex Wilkinson, Ben Garuccio, Osama Malik, Aaron Mooy, Anthony Caceres, Nick Fitzgerald, Bruno Fornaroli, Marc Marino
Perth Glory (4-3-1-2): Covic (GK), Josh Risdon, Shane Lowry, Alex Grant, Marc Warren, Krisztian Vadocz, Nebojsa Marinkovic, Gyorgy Sandor, Diego Castro, Chris Harold, Andy Keogh
Head to Head
City have typically struggled in this fixture, winning five times and managing a draw a further six times, while their opponents on Sunday have picked up eight wins.
There has also been a red card in three of the last four matches between the two sides.
CrownBet match odds at time of publishing
Previous Meeting
In the 3-2 home win in round 26, goals to Keogh, Castro and Sandor deservedly put the game in full control of the hosts, with City pulling two goals back in final stages – firstly through Fornaroli with little over 10 minutes to play, and Marino in second half stoppage time.
The scoreline flattered City’s poor performance, when on the basis of the performance, Glory were a two-goal better side on the night.
Prediction
It’s hard not to fancy Lowe’s side to progress, albeit away from home. While his side were poor last week against Sydney FC, the return of Castro and Harold should allow a return to the peak of the side’s powers at AAMI Park. Stopping the likes of Mooy and Fornaroli will be crucial, but this team has proved it has the capability to do so, while being able to expose City’s questionable defence.
Melbourne City 1 Perth Glory 3
*CrownBet match odds at time of publishing are subject to change
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