Melbourne Victory host Sydney FC in Round 14 of the Isuzu UTE A-League on Monday, January 26, kick-off 5:40pm AEDT.
The second Big Blue showdown of the 2025/26 season presents an opportunity for both teams to right the wrongs of Round 13 losses.
Victory, in a hotly-disputed finish, were beaten at the death in a highly-charged fixture away to Original Rivals Adelaide United last weekend.
Sydney slipped up on home soil to Wellington Phoenix, missing out on the chance to occupy top spot going into the second half of the campaign.
The Boys in Blue
After the Original Rivalry spoils were harshly ripped out of their hands on Saturday, Melbourne Victory must positively channel their frustration into another match where both bragging rights and three points are on the line.
Denied a double over Adelaide United, when Matt Grimaldi’s disallowed goal – set to be the winner – was followed by a stoppage-time heartbreaker inflicted by Reds full-back Ryan Kitto, Arthur Diles’ side are full to the brim with motivation for the second marquee fixture in as many weeks.
They too have a point to prove following a disappointing outcome in November’s reverse fixture against Sydney FC, which ended 3-0 to the hosts in New South Wales.
It has, though, since that trip interstate, been a largely different picture for Victory. Despite ranking ninth ahead of Round 14, they are firmly lodged in the Finals conversation and have won four of their last six matches.
Notably, AAMI Park was the stage for all of these successes, and even the recent home defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers was a narrow one, with a first-half penalty the difference.
On that occasion, and for their other January contests, Victory have been without Joshua Rawlins and Jordi Valadon due to their participation in the U23 Asian Cup. Both are available again following the Young Socceroos’ quarter-final exit, whilst Jason Davidson is up for selection after serving his one-game suspension.
Round 14 Squad: 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 7. Reno PISCOPO, 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, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO, 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 44. Charles NDUKA, 64. Juan MATA
Ins: 2. Jason DAVIDSON (return from suspension), 8. Jordi VALADON (return from international duty), 22. Joshua RAWLINS (return from international duty), 44. Charles NDUKA (available)
Unavailable: 5. Brendan HAMILL (injured), 21. Roderick MIRANDA (injured)
Sky Blue thinking
Sydney FC’s long-awaited return to Allianz Stadium was an underwhelming one, losing to Wellington Phoenix, as Ufuk Talay’s team goes through a period of inconsistent results to begin 2026.
Their current form is at odds with a season where they been one of the Isuzu UTE A-League’s pacesetters, stringing together a run of four straight wins as October crossed into November.
Three of these victories came at their temporary abode, Leichhardt Oval, where they boasted an unbeaten home record, only for this to be dropped on their Allianz Stadium homecoming.
The Sky Blues conceded in either half and played the second 45 a man light, with Rhys Youlley sent off as half-time loomed on an unhappy afternoon for the home side.
A week previous, Sydney had scored three without reply to defeat Macarthur FC in Campbelltown, with goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares recording a sixth clean sheet of 2025/26. This effort has contributed to the competition’s best goal difference.
From an attacking perspective, Joe Lolley and Al Hassan Toure, both sidelined lately, lead the way, chipping in four goals apiece, and whoever nets next for Sydney will have the honour of scoring their 900th goal in the competition.
Run it back
A strong second-half showing from Sydney FC consigned Melbourne Victory to a 3-0 defeat in November’s clash at Leichhardt Oval.
Arthur Diles’ team set much of the agenda during the first period, and it took a solid stop from Harrison Devenish-Meares to keep out Denis Genreau before the interval.
However, a brighter Sydney would race clear thanks to a 12-minute double from talisman Joe Lolley, backed up by Alex Grant’s headed finish to Piero Quispe’s corner delivery.
Last time out
A cruel conclusion to an Isuzu UTE A-League humdinger saw Melbourne Victory leave South Australia empty-handed last Saturday night.
Craig Goodwin’s deft early strike gave Adelaide United a first-half lead at Cooper’s Stadium. This was equalised with a quarter of an hour left to play when Victory substitutes Keegan Jelacic and Jing Reec combined to give another introduction, Matt Grimaldi, a leveller.
The Melbourne Derby hero then appeared to have written his name into Original Rivalry folklore, firing in his second of the game off the upright. But a lengthy VAR review determined an offside infringement had occurred, and with the goal disallowed, a reprieved Adelaide conjured up a 97th-minute winner from the head of Ryan Kitto.
Sydney FC were unable to capitalise on Auckland’s loss to Melbourne City and go top of the ladder as they fell to a first home defeat of the season versus Wellington Phoenix.
Carlo Armiento’s deflected free kick put the visitors ahead after half an hour. And the first half went from bad to worse when Rhys Youlley was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Ramy Najjarine.
Wellington extended their lead and sealed the points approaching the second period’s mid-point, thanks to Isaac Hughes’ close-range header.
