Sydney FC will look to put a dent in Melbourne City’s recent A-League surge at AAMI Park tonight.
With the New Year come new challenges and new opportunities for both of these sides. While just falling short to the Brisbane Roar last week in a thrilling contest, Melbourne City should be no short of confidence going into this one. Four wins from their last five and quickly building a reputation as the most entertaining side in the competition, City will be looking to start the New Year in much the same way that they ended 2015.
Sydney FC on the other hand, would feel they should be much further along by this point. Despite sitting only seven points adrift from derby rivals and A-League leaders, the Western Sydney Wanderers, Graham Arnold knows that his side’s recent slump may come back to haunt them, especially after what was such a professional and disciplined start to the season. A dominant display against the Central Coast Mariners last weekend might just be what the Sky Blues needed to charge towards the Premier’s Plate.
This one will no doubt be an intriguing affair as the two sides chase outright third spot, both sitting on 20 points. City cannot stop conceding, with only the one clean sheet recorded so far this season, while Sydney have had their own problems trying to find the back of the net in recent times.
Key Battle – Bruno Fornarolli vs Sydney FC back four
The leader of the Golden Boot race has been on fire with five goals in five games, but faces a backline that has only conceded 10 goals so far all season. Alex Gersbach has shown himself to be one of the standout fullbacks, let alone rookies, of the year, while many would argue Rhyan Grant and Sebastian Ryall have been near career-best form.
Fornarolli will have his work cut out for him looking to work in behind Matt Jurman and Ryall, which should suit the Uruguayan. He has not disappointed so far, so do not expect him to start now.
Team News
Will we finally see a fitter Robert Koren starting? Unlikely, such is the depth and form of Melbourne City’s front six with John van’t Schip yet to find a starting spot for the talisman this season. Paulo Retre is set to miss this one picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last week and open up a spot in midfield, which will likely be filled by the return of Jacob Melling from a knee injury. Although their first loss in five games might be just the incentive needed to pull the trigger on their Slovenian marquee and give Koren the nod.
Jason Trifiro and Hernan Espindola also return to the squad for this week, while Michael Zullo was also a late inclusion for City and may feature off the bench at some point.
Despite scoring four in last week’s display, the consensus remains that Sydney FC’s front third will have to find a consistent avenue to goal as they push up the ladder in the second-half of the year. They will have to manage their stocks for this one though with a depleted forward line as Captain Alex Brosque is omitted with a hamstring injury, while Matt Simon’s suspension for a citing by the MRP will mean Shane Smeltz may be given a chance to return from a groin injury this week alongside fellow returnee and import Filip Holosko.
Christopher Naumoff and Aaron Caver are also promoted into the squad, but expect to see youngster George Blackwood used in some capacity this week either starting ahead of the uncertain Shane Smeltz or off the bench.
Head-to-head
Bragging rights will once again be on the line when these to sides meet, with the overall head-to-head reading five wins apiece and seven draws in their seventeen encounters. Their record at AAMI Park is also split which just adds to the intrigue of this affair.
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Previous Meeting
The two sides’ last encounter was on the opening weekend this season where they played out a rather drab 1-1 draw. Holosko was on the scoresheet that day which could be an omen for the visitors, but expect a much better encounter than that one.
Prediction
Not many sides have been able to cope with Sydney’s high defensive pressure style but it should suit Melbourne City’s style who naturally transition with pace and numbers, looking to find their forwards in behind the opponents backline. Expect the Sky Blue to take up plenty of possession in City’s half, which means it becomes a question of resources. Do the visitors have enough resources in the final third to break down the wilted City defence? They do, but also expect a better performance defensively from City’s back four.
Melbourne City 1 Sydney FC 1
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