Melbourne Victory play host to Western Sydney Wanderers this weekend where they will be hoping to return to the winners’ list.
Last week’s 6-3 defeat to Sydney FC was Victory’s first loss since Round 2.
Jeff Hopkins’ side will no doubt be focused on making amends for that result when they take to the field against the other side from Sydney this weekend.
Saturday afternoon’s clash will be the second meeting between Victory and Western Sydney in under three weeks, having played out a 0-0 draw at Wanderers Football Park on 18 January.
That result extended Victory’s unbeaten run in A-League Women’s fixtures against the Wanderers to 10 games.
Victory will be further bolstered by the return of star forward Catherine Zimmerman to the match day squad, having been unavailable due to injury for more than two months.
Zimmerman’s return is a welcomed boost for Head Coach Jeff Hopkins and his side.
“The lift that she gives everyone else, knowing that she’s in the team, and the quality she has,” Hopkins said.
“She’s a finisher, she’s a goalscorer, but also she’s one of those players that is always a thorn in the side for opponents. She’s a player you can’t take your eye off for a second in the game.”
However, the Wanderers strong recent run of form, losing only one of their previous six games, indicates they are not a team to be taken lightly.
Both teams remain in the finals equation too, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this weekend’s contest at CB Smith Reserve.
Saturday’s game will also be the star attraction of this week’s Dub Round celebrations, intended to recognise Victory’s A-League Women’s members and supporters.
Recent history against Wanderers
Victory have enjoyed plenty of recent success against the Wanderers, especially when playing at home.
2022/23, January 18: Wanderers 0-0 Victory
2021/22, February 12: Victory 5-0 Wanderers
2021/22, January 16: Wanderers 0-1 Victory
2020/21, March 4: Victory 1-0 Wanderers
2019/20, December 7: Victory 1-1 Wanderers
Melbourne Victory Squad
1.Casey DUMONT, 2. Tiffany ELIADIS, 3.Claudia BUNGE, 5.Jessika NASH, 6.Beattie GOAD, 8.Alana MURPHY, 9.Catherin ZIMMERMAN, 10.Alex CHIDIAC, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 13.Sarah ROWE, 14.Melina AYRES, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Paige ZOIS, 17.Maja MARKOVSKI 18.Kayla MORRISON, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 20.Miranda TEMPLEMAN, 21.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 22.Ava BRIEDIS, 23.Emily KOS
In: 1.Casey DUMONT (returns from injury), 9.Catherine ZIMMERMAN (returns from injury), 13.Sarah ROWE (promoted), 14.Melina AYRES (returns from injury), 22.Ava BRIEDIS (promoted), 23.Emily KOS (promoted)
Out: 25.Rikke MADSEN (injury replacement period concludes)
Unavailable: 7.Gema SIMON (injured)
Match Details
Liberty A-League
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday 4 February
Kick-off: 3:00pm (AEDT)
CB Smith Reserve, Melbourne
