Isuzu UTE A-League preview: Victory v Phoenix

Match details

Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Friday, April 29, 2022
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+

Preview

Melbourne Victory wraps up its busy April with its last home game of the Isuzu UTE A-League regular season against the Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.

Victory is back at AAMI Park for the first time since April 12 and is riding a Club-record 13-match unbeaten league run.

However, Victory needed a 68th-minute header from defender Brendan Hamill to earn a 1-1 draw away to Brisbane Roar on Anzac Day.

Hamill’s equaliser was his second in as many months in yet another important goalscoring contribution from the centre-back.

That game came less than 72 hours after a 4-1 win away to Macarthur amid a difficult run of fixtures.

Victory’s meeting with Wellington will be its eighth game of the month, and it has taken 17 points from a possible 21 so far in April.

With two regular-season games remaining, Victory can climb into second with a win over the fifth-placed Phoenix.

Victory is also one success away from reaching 200 wins in the Isuzu UTE A-League, an achievement only one other Club – Sydney FC – has achieved.

It could be boosted by the return of defender Matt Spiranovic, who missed the encounter against Brisbane.

Player in focus

Hamill’s goal against Brisbane was set up by a smart cross from Francesco Margiotta. The Italian has been directly involved in six goals in the league this season (four goals, two assists). That is the fourth most for Victory behind Marco Rojas (10), Jake Brimmer (nine) and Nick D’Agostino (eight).

Last time

Isuzu UTE A-League 2021/22 Round 12
Wellington Phoenix 1-0 Melbourne Victory
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Wellington won a tight contest when the teams met in February.

Reno Piscopo scored a 74th-minute winner for the Phoenix in Wollongong.

Head to head

Round 12, 2021/22: Phoenix 1-0 Victory at WIN Stadium
Semi Final, 2021 Australia Cup: Victory 4-1 Phoenix at GMHBA Stadium
Round 13, 2020/21: Phoenix 4-1 Victory at WIN Stadium
Round 9, 2020/21: Victory 2-0 Phoenix at AAMI Park
Round 23, 2019/20: Phoenix 3-0 Victory at Sky Stadium