Melbourne Victory faces arguably one of its sternest PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria tests to date when it welcomes Bentleigh Greens to Epping Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Hosting the second-placed Greens falls on the back of a humbling 6-0 defeat to Hume City in Round 18, which saw a youthful side outclassed by an experienced City outfit.
Melbourne faltered when it last tackled Bentleigh in April, as the Greens took the game to its visitors in the opening half, running out 3-0 victors.
Victory wrestled back the ascendancy in the second stanza that day, offering hope that it can match it with the reigning PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria champions on the weekend.
John Anastasiadis’ team have struck a rich vein of form of late, collecting two straight wins against difficult opposition in Avondale FC and Oakleigh Cannons.
Its recent qualification for the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 sees it head into Saturday’s fixture with a spring in its step.
Goals have been easy to find for a side boasting the likes of 2015 PS4 NPL Gold Medallist Kamal Ibrahim, Matt Thurtell and Chris Lucas, who will be looking to put Victory’s defence under pressure from the outset.
Incoming Victory NPL/NYL Head Coach Gareth Naven will take charge of his first match on the weekend, providing extra incentive for his men to cause an upset.
Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for concession and free for children 15 and under.
The under-20s kick off at 1pm, followed by the seniors at 3pm.
PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria 2016 Round 19
Melbourne Victory v Bentleigh Greens
Saturday, July 2, 3pm AEST
Epping Stadium, Epping
