Melbourne City round out the weekend’s action with a must-win clash against last-placed Central Coast.
City in need of a win
City’s season continued to stutter in the run to the finals last round, with the side failing to pick up maximum points for the third week running. After suffering a thrilling loss to Western Sydney in round 17, the City Football Group’s Melbourne arm then travelled to Newcastle were its attack was met by a resilient Newcastle defence before failing to make the most of an early lead at home to Melbourne Victory last weekend. With the hopes of a premiership dwindling, City cannot afford to slip up against the Mariners – that said, with eight goals for and two goals against the Mariners already this season, John van’t Schip’s men clearly know how to outdo Tony Walmsley’s team.
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Bruno Fornaroli nearing A-League record
With 17 goals to his name this season, City forward Bruno Fornaroli looks on track to break the A-League’s record for most goals in a regular season, held by Besart Berisha and Shane Smeltz. With eight games left before the finals, the Uruguayan only has to bag two more goals to equal the joint record on 19 – something which, given his incredible form over the past month (netting five in the last four weeks), should not be too difficult, especially when facing the league’s worst defence this Sunday.
Absence of Harry Novillo
While Fornaroli nears an A-League record, he will have to reach it without attacking partner Harry Novillo. The exciting Frenchman has been stood down for two matches as part of an in-club suspension after he was found to have ‘breached FFA’s National Code of Conduct’ when police were called to his residence following an incident on Tuesday. Although City boast a host of talented players, Novillo’s width, pace, and understanding with Fornaroli will be a huge loss, particularly given the season-long injury to Corey Gameiro.
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