Suncorp Stadium plays host to second versus third as Brisbane Roar take on Melbourne City in a post-Christmas clash that promises to continue the festive cheer with a feast of attacking football.
Key Battle – Matt McKay vs Aaron Mooy
Aaron Mooy has been the standout player in the A-League so far this season and will be the key for both teams. For City, Mooy presents their central outlet, and the game against Melbourne Victory proved this point to a tee. Every attack, every breakdown of the Victory defence and every attempt at goal had Mooy’s mark printed across the play. He is the heartbeat of the team and can now be classed as the best player in the league.
For Brisbane, Matt McKay represents the best chance the Queensland club has of stopping the roving playmaker. He would be used to the youngster’s game having played with and against him in various Socceroos camps and across the past few seasons of the A-League. McKay’s energy is central to the Brisbane style of play, and his presence in the midfield will be Brisbane best chance of keeping Mooy quiet.
In the Melbourne Derby, Victory coach Kevin Muscat decided to play Rashid Mahazi as the defensive midfielder tasked with staying by the City playmaker’s side, and this proved fruitless, with Mahazi leaving the field injured in the second half and with his best efforts having no impact upon the City player’s game. McKay should prove more of a challenge, and if there is any midfielder in the league that can beat Mooy physically and mentally, it would be the captain and central midfielder of the team placed second in the league.
Team News
News emerging from the Brisbane Roar camp is that star striker Jamie Maclaren and midfielder Steven Lustica are in doubt for the game, which may prove to be two huge losses for the club, as both players have been key to the Roar’s run of form this year.
In more positive news, Michael Theo, Luke DeVere, Corey Brown and a host of other players could make returns from injury. Some played in Brisbane’s NYL game last week, in which they beat Adelaide United 10-2. However this weekend’s game may come a few weeks too early for these players keen to return to the field.
Melbourne City will have the same squad as they had in the derby, helping to create cohesion in the squad. The form of Thomas Sorensen bodes well, as his connection with Patrick Kisnorbo and fellow defenders seems to be strengthening each week.
Head-to-Head
Brisbane have faced Melbourne City on 16 occasions with the results evenly spread six to seven in favour of City. It is also interesting to note that across those fixtures, Brisbane have scored 23 to Melbourne City’s 21 goals, highlighting the evenness of this fixture.
Previous Meeting
The last fixture between these two clubs ended in a 1-1 draw. But from that game, Brisbane coach John Aloisi labelled City’s style ‘anti-football’. This statement has rung in the ears of the victorian club, as it has managed an average of four goals per game in their last four fixtures, stamping their authority as the premier attacking team in the league.
Prediction
While Brisbane have not lost a home fixture in six games, Melbourne City’s attacking prowess will prove to be an intriguing test. Melbourne City are undefeated in their past four matches against the Roar and will be looking to extend their winless run to five, equalling the club record, and with the form they are currently displaying, it would be foolish to bet against. The possible loss of Maclaren could also have drastic ramifications, with the form of Sorensen meaning only quality finishing will earn a goal.
Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne City 2
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