Melbourne Victory seeks to continue its strong record against Western Sydney when it hosts the Wanderers on Saturday.
Summary
Victory is unbeaten in its past seven meetings with the Wanderers, a run dating back to early 2016, and it has conceded just two goals in that time.
It is looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Perth Glory in a result that ended its five-match undefeated streak.
Victory had its moments at nib Stadium, but it was unable to find a way through against Perth.
With three regular-season games remaining, Victory is fourth on the table – two points off third.
The result in Perth marked the first time since February 3 that Victory failed to find the back of the net.
Besart Berisha (12), Kosta Barbarouses (eight) and Leroy George (six) have scored 26 Hyundai A-League goals this season.
George, 30, has also provided 13 assists in an impressive league campaign.
The Wanderers are looking to maintain a top-six spot and have won one of their past five matches ahead of their trip to AAMI Park.
Western Sydney last beat Victory in Melbourne in February 2013.
Player in focus
What they said
“The hunger is still there. It’s just one setback at the moment. If we get another result against Western Sydney, we’ll get the ball rolling again. I think we’ll come into the finals really strong. It’s been good.” – Victory defender Thomas Deng.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 17
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-3 Melbourne Victory
Friday, January 19, 2018
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Victory was too strong for the Wanderers when the teams met in January.
Barbarouses scored a brace to go with a Berisha strike as Victory claimed a convincing win.
Head to head
Round 17, 2017/18: Wanderers 0-3 Victory at ANZ Stadium
Round 5, 2017/18: Victory 1-1 Wanderers at Etihad Stadium
Round 26, 2016/17: Wanderers 0-0 Victory at ANZ Stadium
Round 10, 2016/17: Wanderers 0-3 Victory at ANZ Stadium
Round 6, 2016/17: Victory 3-0 Wanderers at Etihad Stadium
Match details
Saturday, 31 March 2018
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:50 PM (Local) (7:50 PM AEDT)
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Luke Brennan
Assistant Referee 2: Wilson Brown
Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers
Video Assistant Referee: Craig Zetter
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 7.45pm (AEDT) and ONE from 7:45pm
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (SRN, SWR99.9 and Sport FM Perth). ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Melbourne Victory squad: (two to be omitted) 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
Ins: 10. James TROISI (returns from international duty), 23.Jai INGHAM (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: (two to be omitted) 3.Jack CLISBY, 4.Josh RISDON, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 7.Steven LUSTICA, 8.Roly BONEVACIA, 9. Oriol RIERA, 10.Alvaro CEJUDO, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 18.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 21.Marc TOKICH, 24.Raul LLORENTE, 33.Michael THWAITE, 40.Nicholas SUMAN (gk), 42.Keanu BACCUS
Ins: 4.Josh RISDON (returns from international duty), 6.Marcelo CARRUSCA (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
