Melbourne Victory depart on their travels to NSW, facing off against rivals Sydney FC in Round 5 of the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday, November 22, kick-off 7:35pm AEDT.
Returning to action after the FIFA November international window, Melbourne Victory will be hungry to return to winning ways against the Sky Blues at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night.
Defeated in their last outing in the Melbourne Derby, Arthur Diles’ side will aim to take the positives from the performance and seek to capitalise on the chances created in the attacking third.
The Boys in Blue
Fresh off the Melbourne Derby, the big games are coming thick and fast for Arthur Diles’ side.
Victory has experienced a mixed start to the 2025/26 season, enjoying a well-fought away win against Perth Glory in Round 3, but recording a draw against Auckland FC and losses to Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City.
Although it hasn’t been the perfect beginning for the Vuck, a statement win in Sydney presents a superb launching pad for the campaign.
Experiencing a noticeable squad changeover in the offseason, the impact of the new arrivals has been evident to see.
Returning left-back Jason Davidson was voted by the Victory faithful as the Turkish Airlines Player of the Month for October, nominated for the award alongside fellow recent signings Denis Genreau and Matthew Grimaldi.
Spanish magician Juan Mata has also begun to hit his stride in navy blue, scoring in his first start against Perth Glory and winning the Turkish Airlines Player of the Match award for his performance in the Melbourne Derby.
Falling to the Citizens 0-2 in Round 4 despite creating 1.42 expected goals (xG) to their opponents’ 0.80, luck hasn’t fallen the way of Victory so far.
In the opening four games, the Boys in Blue have found the back of the net on four occasions from an xG For of 5.4, while conceding seven goals from an xG Against of 6.4.
Victory has been given a boost with the additions of Nishan Velupillay and Louis D’Arrigo to the squad set to travel to Sydney for the Big Blue.
Round 5 Squad: 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Matthew GRIMALDI, 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 19. Jing REEC, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO, 34. Xavier STELLA, 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 64. Juan MATA.
Ins: 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO.
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 5. Brendan HAMILL (long-term injury).
The Sky Blues
Kicking off their season in strong form after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign that saw them miss out on finals football, Sydney FC poses a big test for Victory in Round 5.
Following a defeat at the hands of Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium in the season opener, the Sky Blues have managed to record three straight wins in New South Wales against Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets and Macarthur FC.
The underlying numbers certainly support Sydney’s solid start to the season, topping the league in xG For with 8.7 and conceding the fewest xG Against with 3.3.
Unsurprisingly, English star Joe Lolley has been central to the Sky Blues’ success, recording the tied most shot attempts and the most chances created in the league by a distance.
While Lolley has contributed both two goals and assists from the right flank, Al Hassan Touré on the opposing flank has begun the season in flying form.
Netting a hat-trick in the Sky Blues’ dominant win over Newcastle in Round 3, the 25-year-old earned a first Socceroos call-up and two caps over the break.
The Highly-touted Paul Okon-Engstler also joined Touré to earn his first Socceroos caps against Venezuela and Colombia, while Peruvian midfielder Piero Quispe had the opportunity to represent his nation against Chile.
Currently sat in second place behind reigning Premiers Auckland FC, Ufuk Talay’s side will be adamant to continue their dominance on home soil in the Big Blue on Saturday night.
Run it back
Last taking on the Smurfs at AAMI Park earlier this year on January 24, Victory celebrated an emphatic 2-0 triumph.
Found by Ryan Teague’s whipped corner delivery, Nikos Vergos opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a headed goal that rifled off the crossbar and in, generating remarkable power to send the Victory faithful into raptures.
Aiming to kill off the game, a searching long-ball from Kasey Bos was met and finished off by Bruno Fornaroli in the 90th minute, who celebrated with the jubilant North End.
Last time out
Hosting the first Melbourne Derby of the season and the Grand Final rematch, Victory were dealt an early blow after falling behind in the second minute following a quick turnover of possession that was finished off by City’s Max Caputo.
Despite Victory controlling the majority of territory and possession, along with firing more than double the number of shots at goal than their opponents, a 55th-minute goal from substitute Peter Antoniou sealed a two-goal win for the visitors.
Played on the following day, Sydney FC prevailed as 2-0 winners at Leichhardt Oval in their round 4 fixture against Macarthur FC.
A back-and-forth clash between the Sky Blues and Bulls, the deadlock was broken at last in the 76th minute, thanks to a header from central defender Marcel Tisserand.
A slick cut-back from Patrick Wood and cool finish by Joe Lolley sealed the three points for the hosts in the 93rd minute, confirming a third straight win.
