Melbourne Victory will be looking to avoid a “dogfight” when it faces Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
Victory is searching for its third straight win, and first over the Sky Blues this season, in the latest edition of the Big Blue.
A win would move second-placed Victory to within five points of Sydney FC with five games remaining this season.
“We know we’re capable of scoring against them and beating them. It’s a matter of executing,” said Victory head coach Kevin Muscat.
“In our last couple of games (against Sydney), conceding twice after taking the lead, there are some learnings from that.
“As the two previous games have been, it’s turned into a dogfight against Sydney. The games have gone in that direction where it’s just a bit of a fight.
“Sydney prefer it that way, Sydney want it that way. We’ll go across, even though we’re away from home, and try and play through that and see where it takes us.
“Training has been really bright (this week). It’s not something that’s worrying us, going to Sydney and playing them, based on them being top of the table.”
Fahid Ben Khalfallah and George Howard have been added to an extended Victory squad for the match, with two players to be omitted before kick-off.
The Big Blue will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 505 from 7.00pm AEDT and SBS Viceland from 7.30pm AEDT on Friday night.
