Melbourne Victory is aiming to extend its unbeaten run when it visits the Wellington Phoenix in the Hyundai A-League on Wednesday.
Summary
Victory squandered numerous chances as it played out a 1-1 draw against the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
That result extended Victory’s unbeaten run to four matches, although it did slip to fifth on the table.
Besart Berisha scored for the second game in a row during the draw against the Mariners, taking his tally to six in the league this season.
Dino Djulbic and Terry Antonis made their debuts for the club in Geelong.
Victory backs up just four days after that clash and is boosted by the return of centre-back Rhys Williams from suspension.
However, captain Carl Valeri will miss the outing after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
Leroy George produced another fine display against the Mariners and will be looking to add to his three goals and seven assists in 14 league games this campaign.
Victory beat the Phoenix 3-2 in Wellington when the teams last met in December.
The Phoenix are bottom of the Hyundai A-League table with one win from 13 matches.
Player in focus
What they said
“While I was waiting (for a visa) in Serbia I watched some games of Phoenix – this is a good team with good promise, perhaps some moments of concentration. I want to do my best to help the club.” – Phoenix signing Matija Ljujic.
“We’re definitely building. It was a little bit disappointing on the weekend not to take three points, but we took a lot of positives from the way that we played, especially the way we put pressure on them without the ball so we’ll be looking to build on that and hopefully stick a few more in the back of the net.” – Victory star Mark Milligan.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 9
Wellington Phoenix 2-3 Melbourne Victory
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Victory staged a stunning comeback when the teams met earlier this season.
After a first-half brace from Andrija Kaluderovic for the Phoenix, Berisha and James Troisi struck either side of a Goran Paracki own goal to see Victory come from behind.
Head to head
Round 9, 2017/18: Phoenix 2-3 Victory at Westpac Stadium
Round 25, 2016/17: Victory 0-3 Phoenix at AAMI Park
Round 7, 2016/17: Phoenix 3-0 Victory at Westpac Stadium
Round 4, 2016/17: Victory 6-1 Phoenix at Etihad Stadium
Round 26, 2015/16: Phoenix 1-4 Victory at Westpac Stadium
Match details
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-Off: 7:35 PM (Local) (5:35 PM AEDT)
Referee: Matthew Conger
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Lount
Assistant Referee 2: Glen Lochrie
Fourth Official: Adrian Arndt
Video Assistant Referee: Nick Waldron
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 5.00pm (AEDT)
Radio Broadcast: ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1.Lewis ITALIANO (Gk), 2.Daniel MULLEN, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 4.Goran PARACKI, 6. Dylan FOX, 7.Nathan BURNS, 8.Matija LJUJIC, 9.Andrija KALUDJEROVIC, 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY, 12.Adam PARKHOUSE, 13.Marco ROSSI, 14.Alex RUFER, 18.Sarpreet SINGH, 19.Tom DOYLE, 21. Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE, 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 30.Keegan SMITH (Gk)
Ins: 8.Matija LJUJIC (new signing), 18.Sarpreet SINGH (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Melbourne Victory squad (one to be omitted): 1.Matt ACTON (Gk), 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Dino DJULBIC, 4.Rhys WILLIAMS, 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), 22.Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 24.Terry ANTONIS, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS, 41.Leroy GEORGE
Ins: 4.Rhys WILLIAMS (returns from suspension), 16.Josh HOPE (promoted)
Outs: 21.Carl VALERI (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: 14.Thomas DENG (international duty), 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee), 17.James DONACHIE (quad)
