Melbourne Victory is set to be boosted by the returns of several players when it hosts the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Summary
Victory hosts the Mariners after a tight 1-0 loss to Sydney FC at Jubilee Stadium on Tuesday.
Under the guidance of interim head coach Steve Kean, Victory had its moments, but fell to defeat after Bobo’s early goal.
It is set to regain three players – Jake Brimmer, Callum McManaman and Robbie Kruse – from suspension for the clash against the Mariners.
The trio were suspended for the trip to Sydney due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
That provided an opportunity for Lleyton Brooks to make his first A-League start and the 20-year-old attacker produced an impressive performance, during which he hit the post with a second-half header.
Goalkeeper Matt Acton starred during the encounter, making nine saves, including several crucial stops in the second half.
Matt Acton was on ? in the #BigBlue
He made a total of 9⃣ stops ?
?️: @FOXFOOTBALL #ALeague #SYDvMVC #MVFC pic.twitter.com/wbK3YCA5wq
— A-League (@ALeague) April 28, 2021
Victory has won two of its past four games ahead of hosting the Mariners.
Player in focus
Last time
A-League 2020/21
Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
The Mariners and Victory played out a draw in Gosford in March.
McManaman opened the scoring in the 20th minute before his effort was cancelled out by Marco Urena.
As it stands
Head to head
Round 14, 2020/21: Mariners 1-1 Victory at Central Coast Stadium
Round 26, 2019/20: Victory 2-3 Mariners at Jubilee Stadium
Round 14, 2019/20: Mariners 3-2 Victory at Central Coast Stadium
Round 25, 2018/19: Victory 2-1 Mariners at AAMI Park
Round 17, 2018/19: Mariners 2-3 Victory at Central Coast Stadium
Match details
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEST
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 4.Nick ANSELL, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Callum McMANAMAN, 8.Jacob BUTTERFIELD, 9.Rudy GESTEDE, 10.Robbie KRUSE, 11. Ben FOLAMI, 13. Birkan KIRDAR, 14.Jay BARNETT, 15 Aaron ANDERSON, 16.Brandon LAUTON, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 19.Dylan RYAN, 20.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 22.Jacob BRIMMER, 25.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO, 26. Lleyton BROOKS, 35.Zaydan BELLO
**2-3 to be omitted**
In: 7.Callum McMANAMAN (return from suspension), 10.Robbie KRUSE (return from suspension), 22.Jacob BRIMMER (return from suspension)
Out: 29.Nishan VELUPILLAY (Omitted)
Unavailable: 3.Adama TRAORE (suspended), 5.Ryan SHOTTON (injured – knee), 23.Marco ROJAS (injured – ankle)
