Melbourne Victory Women prepare for a clash with the Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday, April 6.
Initially scheduled to be played on March 15, hot conditions on the day saw the match rescheduled to be played on this Sunday.
Travelling to the West of Sydney off the back of a fifth-straight win, Victory will aim to keep their momentum flowing heading into their final three regular-season fixtures.
Melbourne Victory:
Following a thrilling 4-3 win over the Newcastle Jets in Round 20, Victory played out yet another game with late drama in their Original Rivalry match-up last Saturday.
Conceding an equaliser to Adelaide United in the 86th minute, Nicki Flannery scored her brace and the winner for Victory in the 91st minute at AAMI Park.
It was a truly special moment for Flannery who took her goal tally up to four since signing for the club in the off-season, leading the side to an all-important win.
In defeating the Reds, Victory has almost certainly cemented a top-two finish in the Ninja A-League ladder – moving five points ahead of Adelaide with a game in-hand.
As league leaders Melbourne City grabbed another three points over Wellington Phoenix, recording a sixth-straight win at Wanderers Park will be crucial for Victory in their hunt to overtake City for the Premiership.
Round 19 Squad:
2. Ellie WILSON, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 22. Ava BRIEDIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Ins: 2. Ellie WILSON
Outs: 3. Claudia BUNGE (international duty)
Unavailable: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers
Suffering three consecutive defeats that have seen the side fall to the bottom of the league, the Western Sydney Wanderers have endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign.
The Wanderers have scored the second-fewest goals in the league (23) and recorded the fewest wins (4), with their difficulties this season displayed in their recent 0-2 home defeat in the Sydney Derby.
However, the Wanderers have proven to give Victory issues in recent history.
A late Wanderers comeback resulted in a thrilling 4-4 draw at the Home of the Matildas back in Round 10.
In their last five meetings since 2023, Victory have only won on two occasions – with both coming as the home side.
