Melbourne Victory looks to begin 2018 with another win when it hosts the Central Coast Mariners in Geelong on Saturday.
Summary
Victory has jumped into third in the Hyundai A-League after three consecutive wins.
It hosts the Mariners at GMHBA Stadium in Round 14, eyeing another win to close the gap on the top two.
Tickets available here.
Victory has recaptured some of its best form in recent matches with wins over Brisbane Roar, City and the Newcastle Jets.
Besart Berisha scored the winner against the Jets for his fifth league goal of the campaign after being set up by Leroy George (seven assists).
Full-back Jason Geria is one game away from becoming the ninth player to make 100 Hyundai A-League appearances for Victory.
Victory will be without centre-backs Rhys Williams (suspended) and Thomas Deng (Olyroos duty) for its clash against the Mariners.
However, it has signed midfielder Terry Antonis and defender Dino Djulbic to open the January transfer window.
Victory is unbeaten in its past 13 clashes with the Mariners, who last claimed a win in the match-up in April 2013.
Central Coast is winless in its past four matches and sits ninth in the Hyundai A-League.
Player in focus
What they said
“I’ve kept an eye on them (the results). The boys are a good team and they’re working hard as you can see in training and the results are coming. I’m excited to be here and can’t wait to get started.” – Victory recruit Antonis.
“We believe what we’re doing will pay dividends eventually and obviously they (Victory) are a very strong outfit and starting to hit some really good form since we last played them, but we go there full of confidence and it should be a good match-up.” – Mariners attacker Connor Pain.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 4
Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Pain gave the Mariners the lead with a fine strike from the edge of the area in the 58th minute.
However, Leroy George earned a point for Victory, curling in a wonderful 20-yard free-kick seven minutes later.
Head to head
Round 4, 2017/18: Mariners 1-1 Victory at Central Coast Stadium
Round 27, 2016/17: Victory 1-0 Mariners at AAMI Park
Round 20, 2016/17: Mariners 0-3 Victory at Central Coast Stadium
Round 12, 2016/17: Victory 4-1 Mariners at AAMI Park
Round 22, 2015/16: Mariners 0-2 Victory at Central Coast Stadium
Match details
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Kick-Off: 6:00 PM (Local) (6:00 PM AEDT)
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis
Assistant Referee 2: Luke Brennan
Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers
Video Assistant Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 5.30pm (AEDT)
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (SRN, Coast FM Gosford, and Talking Lifestyle Melbourne), ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Melbourne Victory Squad: 1.Matt ACTON (Gk), 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Dino DJULBIC, 5.Mark MILLIGAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 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: 3.Dino DJULBIC (new signing), 6.Leigh BROXHAM (returns from injury)
Outs: 4.Rhys WILLIAMS (suspended – 1 week), 14.Thomas DENG (international duty)
Unavailable: 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee), 17.James DONACHIE (quad)
Central Coast Mariners Squad (two to be omitted): 1.Ben KENNEDY (Gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Josh ROSE, 4.Jake McGING, 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Tom HIARIEJ, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Blake POWELL, 9.ASDRUBAL, 11.Connor PAIN, 13.Kwabena APPIAH, 15.Alan BARO (c), 16.Liam ROSE, 20.Adam PEARCE (Gk), 21.Kye ROWLES, 22.Jacob MELLING, 23.Wout BRAMA, 24.Lachlan WALES
Ins: 3.Josh ROSE (promoted), 20.Adam PEARCE (Gk) (promoted), 22.Jacob MELLING (new signing), 24.Lachlan WALES (promoted)
Outs: 10.Daniel De SILVA (international duty), 18.Tom GLOVER (Gk) (international duty)
Unavailable: 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (international duty)