Match details
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
Watch live and free on Channel 10
Preview
Melbourne Victory is looking to bounce back when it makes the trip to face Adelaide United on Saturday.
Victory’s perfect start to the season came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Perth Glory in the Isuzu UTE A-League last time out.
An early injury to Brendan Hamill hurt Victory before a first-half red card to Rai Marchan changed the complexion of the contest at AAMI Park.
Victory was also again without Chris Ikonomidis and Roderick Miranda, who missed the encounter due to injury.
After four straight wins in all competitions to begin the campaign, Victory was beaten for the first time under Head Coach Tony Popovic.
Victory will make the trip to Coopers Stadium six days after facing Perth – the longest interval it has had between matches since the campaign started, after FFA Cup commitments earlier in the season.
The defeat left Victory in second on the table through three games, while Saturday’s opponent, Adelaide, is unbeaten and eighth.
Victory has lost its past three games against the Reds, with its last win over Adelaide coming in February 2020.
Player in focus
Marco Rojas looked lively against Perth and the New Zealander remains equal top of the league’s assist charts with two, equal with the Newcastle Jets’ Daniel Penha.
What they said
“A couple of new guys asking about is as well. For me, it’s one of the best away games. You play your Melbourne derbies here of course, we know how much they mean, but when you’re on a plane and travelling interstate and then you’re so far away from home and it’s still such a big derby, it’s a big deal. I love going there, the atmosphere playing there between us two and our supporters that travel there and create a good atmosphere for us, it’s one of my favourite places to go. Guys understand that it is a big rivalry and it’ll be a great challenge to go there and get a good result. It’ll be a big challenge. It’s off the back of a poor result coming and getting a result there would send a good message.” – Victory stalwart Leigh Broxham.
Last time
Isuzu UTE A-League 2020/21 Round 22
Melbourne Victory 0-1 Adelaide United
Sunday, May 23, 2021
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Victory and Adelaide were involved in a tight tussle late last season.
But Craig Goodwin’s first-half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Head to head
Round 22, 2020/21: Victory 0-1 Adelaide at AAMI Park
Round 12, 2020/21: Victory 1-3 Adelaide at Marvel Stadium
Round 5, 2020/21: Adelaide 1-0 Victory at Coopers Stadium
Round 21, 2019/20: Victory 2-1 Adelaide at Marvel Stadium
Round 15, 2019/20: Adelaide 1-0 Victory at Coopers Stadium
