Melbourne Victory visit Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 26 of the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday, April 25, kick-off 7.35pm AEST.
Arthur Diles’ side sign off the regular season at Commbank Stadium, knowing that picking up three points in New South Wales represents their strongest chance of clinching a home Elimination Final.
Victory enters the final round having been held by the Premiers, Newcastle Jets, at AAMI Park last Friday night.
The Wanderers lost away to Wellington Phoenix the following day, consigning them to their first-ever wooden spoon.
The Boys in Blue
With Finals football guaranteed, courtesy of the point claimed versus Newcastle Jets, Melbourne Victory’s focus now switches to securing the highest possible finish and securing the right to host an Elimination Final at AAMI Park next weekend.
There are permutations aplenty going into Round 26, given five teams will fit into the four spots from third to sixth, but aside from one set of results, where a draw in New South Wales would be enough, a maximum is required to lock in a home final.
And with the Boys in Blue playing the day before Sydney FC hosts Auckland FC, and Adelaide United visits Melbourne City, there is an opportunity to apply some scoreboard pressure.
Facing Western Sydney Wanderers is also an opportunity to avenge the 0-1 defeat suffered in January, which ended a five-game unbeaten run during which Victory toppled two of the current top six – Adelaide and City.
Juan Mata is the notable addition to the Round 26 squad, back available to play after recovering from his fractured elbow that saw him on Victory’s injury list during the last two weeks.
Round 26 Squad: 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 3. Adama TRAORE, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 7. Reno PISCOPO, 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Matthew GRIMALDI, 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18. Franco LINO, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO, 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 44. Charles NDUKA, 64. Juan MATA
Ins:Â 64. Juan MATA (return from injury)
Outs: N/A
Unavailable:Â 16. Joshua INSERRA (injured), 19. Jing REEC (injured)
The Wanderers
Without a win since February, when they thumped Macarthur FC 0-4, and last outside of the bottom two at the conclusion of Round 8, it has been a chastening 2025/26 for Western Sydney Wanderers, who have lost their last four to cement their place at the bottom of the ladder.
They dismissed former boss Alen Stajcic in January, after a season-and-a-half at the helm, but have not experienced an upturn in results, including two Sydney Derby defeats, under the stewardship of Gary van Egmond.
The 60-year-old will step aside at the end of the season, with former Sydney FC boss Ufuk Talay, having crossed the divide, waiting in the wings to take over ahead of 2026/27. He will be supported by their newly-appointed Football Director, Mal Impiombato.
Wanderers have the competition’s poorest goal difference, -14, and have only conceded fewer goals than one team, Wellington Phoenix, as they look a shadow of the side that finished last term in fourth, 12 games without defeat.
Run it back
Melbourne Victory suffered a surprise defeat to an out-of-form Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park in January.
Kosta Barbarouses’ first-half penalty, after Santos was penalised for a handball, was the only goal of the Isuzu UTE A-League Round 12 contest.
The loss was a first for Arthur Diles’ men in six outings, who went closest to scoring when a Juan Mata volley was cleared off the line.
Last time out
Melbourne Victory came from behind to lead the Newcastle Jets before having to settle for a point against the Premiers-elect.
Goals from Eli Adams, a first-half strike from distance, and a last-gasp penalty, bookended two smart finishes from Charles Nduka.
Victory’s January signing netted twice in four minutes to put the hosts on course for a home maximum, taking his tally to five since debuting in Round 15.
Western Sydney Wanderers could not hold on for a share of the spoils when they took on Wellington Phoenix in Christchurch.
The Nix led after 16 minutes at Apollo Projects Stadium, thanks to a close-range finish from master marksman Ifeanyi Eze.
Brandon Borello levelled up for the visitors early toward the end of the first half, but Kazuki Nagasawa’s header restored the home team’s advantage before the hour mark, and the Wanderers were unable to fight back again.
