Melbourne Victory is looking to bounce back when it visits Brisbane Roar in the Hyundai A-League on Sunday night.
Victory has won two of its past four matches, but was edged 2-1 by Adelaide United last time out.
That left it in seventh on the table, level on points with the sixth-placed Roar.
Victory’s two league wins this season have come away from home, with successes in Perth and Wellington.
It has won three of its past five clashes against the Roar in all competitions, including last season’s Semi Final.
Leroy George (three goals, four assists) and Besart Berisha (four goals, two assists) have been Victory’s main attacking outlets so far this season.
George has also created 30 chances in 10 games, the second most in the Hyundai A-League.
Brisbane is sixth in the standings with two wins from its opening 10 games of the campaign.
The Roar have lost just one of their past seven matches, winning two of their previous four.
Massimo Maccarone has led the way in attack for Brisbane with a team-high four goals.
Brisbane is also unbeaten in its past three home games, although two of those have been 0-0 draws.
“We’ve had a great rivalry over the years with Victory and I’m sure this weekend will be no different. We’ve had a few tough games away from Suncorp Stadium but now we’re back and we’ll be looking to capitalise.” – Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young.
“We’re remaining positive. I don’t think this is too much of a problem, to be honest. I know we sit seventh but things change in this league very quickly and we’re positive that’s going to happen.” – Victory defender Rhys Williams.
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 6
Melbourne Victory 1-1 Brisbane Roar
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
It was a thrilling finish between the teams when they met earlier this season.
Berisha opened the scoring thanks to a George assist, but Brett Holman equalised for the Roar in the 84th minute.
Round 6, 2017/18: Victory 1-1 Roar at Etihad Stadium
FFA Cup last 32 2017: Roar 1-5 Victory at Perry Park
Semi Final, 2016/17: Victory 1-0 Roar at AAMI Park
Round 24, 2016/17: Roar 1-0 Victory at Suncorp Stadium
Round 15, 2016/17: Victory 3-2 Roar at AAMI Park
Sunday, 17 December 2017
Brisbane Roar FC v Melbourne Victory
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 7:00 PM AEDT
Referee: Peter Green
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 7.00pm (AEDT)
Radio Broadcast: ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Brisbane Roar FC squad (two to be omitted): 2.Dane INGHAM, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 5.Corey BROWN, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Massimo MACCARONE, 11.Corey GAMEIRO, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 16.Mitchell OXBORROW, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 18.Joe CALETTI, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 31.Brendan WHITE (gk), 33.Petros SKAPETIS, 77.Ivan FRANJIC
Ins: 2.Dane INGHAM (promoted), 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN (returns from injury), 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH (promoted)
Outs: 22.Eric BAUTHEAC (hamstring – 4-6 weeks)
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (gk) (finger – 2 weeks), 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS (suspended – 5 games), 10.Brett HOLMAN (knock – 1 week), 13.Jade NORTH (groin – 1 week), 20.Shannon BRADY (broken foot – TBC)
Melbourne Victory squad (two to be omitted): 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Jason GERIA, 4.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 14.Thomas DENG, 16.Josh HOPE, 18.Matias SANCHEZ, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22.Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS, 41.Leroy GEORGE
Ins: 16.Josh HOPE (promoted), 22.Stefan NIGRO (promoted), 31. Christian THEOHAROUS (promoted)
Outs: 5.Mark MILLIGAN (hamstring)
Unavailable: 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee), 17.James DONACHIE (quad)
