Melbourne Victory’s A-League Women will be looking to all but assure their place in the 2023 Liberty A-League Finals Series as they face Canberra United on Saturday afternoon.
After a rousing Melbourne Derby win last week, Jeff Hopkins’ side will be looking to lock-in their spot in the post-season and keep alive their chances for a historic three-peat as his side travels to the nation’s capital to take on fifth place United.
Only one spot separates the teams on the ladder but five points is the difference between the sides heading into the final rounds of the season and a win for Victory will extend the gap to eight points, enough to secure the last Finals spot with two matches to go.
Victory will be buoyed by the performance at AAMI Park, despite losing Elise Kellond-Knight to an Achilles injury last week, and Hopkins’ side looked more than comfortable against a City side that has been one of the league’s best.
With the return of full-back, Jess Nash from international duty and more playing minutes in the legs of key forward duo Melina Ayres and Catherine Zimmerman, Victory will be out to build on last week’s performance.
United, lead by Golden Boot leader Michelle Heyman, have had a rollercoaster season in the A-League Women’s, recording commanding wins over Adelaide and Western Sydney in recent weeks. Their season of inconsistency will be approached with caution by Victory who are looking to put Canberra’s campaign to bed this weekend.
Recent history against Canberra
2022/23, December 31: Victory 1-0 Canberra
2021/22, March 4: Victory 0-0 Canberra
2021/22, February 22: Canberra 2-2 Victory
2020/21, February 28: Victory 1-1 Canberra
2019/20, January 26: Victory 3-0 Canberra
Melbourne Victory squad
1.Casey DUMONT, 2. Tiffany ELIADIS, 3.Claudia BUNGE, 5.Jessika NASH, 6.Beattie GOAD, 8.Alana MURPHY, 9.Catherine ZIMMERMAN, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 14.Melina AYRES, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Paige ZOIS, 17.Maja MARKOVSKI 18.Kayla MORRISON, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 20.Miranda TEMPLEMAN, 22.Ava BRIEDIS, 23.Emily KOS, 27.Rosie CURTIS
In: 5.Jessika NASH (promoted), 23.Emily KOS (promoted), 27.Rosie CURTIS (promoted)
Out:
Unavailable: 7.Gema SIMON (injured), 21.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT (injured)
