Labor Monday is promising to be a red letter day for both the Men and Women of Melbourne Victory.
Victory’s Women will kickstart the football on Monday’s public holiday in the Melbourne Derby from 3:20pm, before the Men take centre stage in a must-win game against Western United from 6:00pm.
RECENT HOME FORM
Victory can take confidence from their home form, heading into Monday’s must-win fixture knowing they’re unbeaten in their last three at AAMI Park – recording two wins and one draw.
Returning Spanish midfielder Rai Marchan spoke mid-week about Western United, explaining: “They make hard challenges and I think that we if we equal that, that effort, those challenges, we are going to be able to beat them.”
THE START OF FIVE REMAINING HOME GAMES
Victory’s Men have seven remaining games, all of which are undeniably must-win.
The side’s recent positive home form is a boost, but knowing that five of those seven games are in front of the home fans will add extra motivation to claim the 21 points available across this season’s final fixtures.
Evening the ledger against Western United will also be a focus for Victory, who will be looking to turn the tide in recent history against Monday’s opponent.
DERBY DAY
Monday is Derby Day – enough reason to get anyone up for this one.
When the two sides last met away at Casey Fields, it finished 1-1 and left the feeling of unfinished business for everyone involved.
On that day, Victory were missing two huge names – Melina Ayres and Catherine Zimmerman. The good news? They’re well and truly back.
REFOCUSSED AFTER THE BREAK
Victory’s Head Coach Jeff Hopkins explained that his side’s focus is on making the A-League Women’s Finals, requiring full focus and a do-or-die attitude in the remaining games.
Victory are being closely chased by followers Canberra United, Brisbane Roar and the Perth Glory – as the navy blue look to distance themselves from the pack.
“I think we’ve we’ve really tried to put a focus this week on a number of things that we didn’t do right and try to use this time to put things right,” Hopkins noted on the break.
