Melbourne Victory host Wellington Phoenix on Friday night where they will be aiming to reverse their recent run of results.
The first meeting between the sides this season pits Victory against a Wellington outfit currently occupying fourth position on the A-League Men’s table.
Victory have struggled for form in recent weeks and will be hoping to secure their first win of 2023 against the Nix.
However, the high-flying Phoenix will be difficult to contain, having scored in every league game so far this season.
Victory though will take confidence from their strong recent home record against Wellington, having not lost to the Phoenix in Melbourne since April 2017.
Since that last defeat, Victory have beaten the Nix four times at AAMI Park, including a 3-1 success near the end of last season.
Tony Popovic’s side will also be bolstered by the potential inclusion of recent signing Bruce Kamau, who joined the club on loan during the week.
Kamau will add an extra dimension to Victory’s attack as they search for a solution to their recent form slump.
Friday is set to be a big night of football under the lights at AAMI Park!
Melbourne Victory Squad
1.Matt ACTON, 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Enrique LOPEZ, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Josh BRILLANTE, 9.Tomi JURIC, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 14.Jay BARNETT, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 18.Bruce KAMAU, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 23.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 24.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 26.Lleyton BROOKS, 28.Will Wilson, 29.Eli ADAMS, 30.Ahmad TALEB, 31.Matthew BOZINOVSKI
In: 18.Bruce KAMAU (promoted), 23.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (promoted)
Out: nil
Unavailable: 4.Rai MARCHAN (injured), 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS (suspended – 1 week), 17.Luis NANI (injured), 20.Paul IZZO (injured)
Recent history against Wellington
The home team has consistently come out on top in recent meetings between these two sides.
2021/22 (Apr 29): Victory 3-1 Phoenix
2021/22 (Feb 9): Phoenix 1-0 Victory
Aus Cup SF (Jan 29): Victory 4-1 Phoenix
2020/21 (Mar 24): Phoenix 4-1 Victory
2020/21 (Feb 24): Victory 2-0 Phoenix
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League – Round 15
Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
Friday 3 February
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: Paramount+
