Melbourne Victory hosts Adelaide United in a blockbuster Hyundai A-League Elimination Final at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Summary
Victory finished fourth on the table, earning a home final against its rival, which ended the regular season fifth.
It heads into the clash with some momentum after an impressive 2-1 win over Shanghai SIPG in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
Elimination Final tickets available here
A host of first-team regulars were rested from that encounter, including the likes of Leroy George, Besart Berisha, Lawrence Thomas, James Troisi, Kosta Barbarouses and Carl Valeri.
George, 30, has enjoyed a standout Hyundai A-League campaign at Victory.
The winger has scored eight goals – fewer than only Berisha (13) for the club – and provided a league-leading 14 assists.
Victory has won five of its past seven matches in the Hyundai A-League, a run beginning with its 3-0 success over the Reds in February.
It has lost just two of its past 15 games against Adelaide in the league, winning eight and drawing five, while it is unbeaten against the Reds in six finals clashes.
Player in focus
What they said
“It’s always a big game and everyone gets around Adelaide coming to Melbourne so it’s always a good game to come and watch and expect some fiery tackles. It’ll be a great game and hopefully we can beat them.” – Victory defender James Donachie.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 21
Melbourne Victory 3-0 Adelaide United
Saturday, February 24, 2018
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Victory outplayed Adelaide when the teams met for the last time in the regular season.
After a Taylor Regan own goal, George struck and then set up Berisha.
Before the sealer, the Reds had Dzengis Cavusevic sent off.
Head to head
Round 21, 2017/18: Victory 3-0 Adelaide at AAMI Park
Round 10, 2017/18: Victory 1-2 Adelaide at Etihad Stadium
Round 3, 2017/18: Adelaide 2-2 Victory at Adelaide Oval
Round of 16, 2017 FFA Cup: Adelaide 3-0 Victory at Marden Sports Complex
Round 21, 2016/17: Victory 2-1 Adelaide at AAMI Park
Match details
Hyundai A-League 2018 Elimination Final
Melbourne Victory (4) v Adelaide United (5)
Sunday, 22 April 2018
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 6:00pm (Local) (6:00pm AEST)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Cream
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Shaun Evans
Video Assistant Referee: Craig Zetter
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 5.00pm (AEST), ONE from 5:30pm (AEST), and Sky Sport 1 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (Classic Rock Melbourne, Sport FM Perth and 5AA). ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON (Gk), 4.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 14.Thomas DENG, 16.Josh HOPE, 17.James DONACHIE, 18.Matias SANCHEZ, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (Gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22. Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 24.Terry ANTONIS, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS, 41.Leroy GEORGE
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Josh HOPE (promoted), 31.Christian THEOHAROUS (returns from illness)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Daniel MARGUSH (Gk), 2.Michael MARRONE, 5.Taylor REGAN, 6.Vince LIA, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAÍAS (c), 9.Baba DIAWARA, 11.Johan ABSALONSEN, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Paul IZZO (Gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Ersan GÜLÜM, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 29.Ryan STRAIN, 37.Daniel ADLUNG
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 8.ISAÍAS, 29.Ryan STRAIN
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 77.Džengis ČAVUŠEVIĆ (knee)
