FTS A-League Round 10 Preview: Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC
The Big Blue is set to headline round 10 of the Hyundai A-League where the undefeated Melbourne Victory play host to their arch rivals in Sydney FC.
With two of the largest membership bases in the league – there is no doubt that the crowd at Etihad Stadium will be in full-force come Saturday evening.
As we venture deeper into the season, we are beginning to see who the true candidates for the title race this year are, with both the Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC featuring heavily in this debate.
Arguably most people’s favourites, the Victory are yet to lose a single game this year and boy, are they impressing. With 21 goals scored so far (the highest in the league) and a mere 8 goals conceded (2nd least in the league), the Victory are managing to dominate in all facets of the game on the pitch, something that truly crippled them last season.
Sydney FC aren’t too far behind either. Coming off their first loss for the season last week to the ladder leaders, Perth Glory, they will be looking to put that disappointing display behind them when they arrive in Melbourne ahead of Saturday night’s match.
With the key inclusions of Gui Finkler for Victory and Mark Janko for Sydney FC the game is ensured to produce goals and drama aplenty.
The media has had the spotlight on this fixture all week – and with more than 30,000 passionate fans expected in at Etihad stadium, you can be sure that this game will promote what the A-League is all about; excitement and beautiful football!
Form Guide:
Melbourne Victory: WWWDD
Sydney FC: LDWDD
Head to Head:
Played: 32 Melbourne Victory: 10 Draw: 15 Sydney FC: 7
Last Time They Met:
Saturday 15th of November 2014, 7.30PM – Allianz Stadium, Sydney FC 0 – 0 Melbourne Victory
Absentee List:
Melbourne Victory
Matthieu Delpierre (foot – tbc)
Sydney FC
Corey Gameiro (knee – indefinite), Ali Abbas (knee – indefinite)
Possible Line-Ups:
Melbourne Victory (4-2-3-1)
Coe
Geria — Leijer — Broxham — Georgievski
Milligan (C) — Valeri
Barbarouses — Finkler — Ben Khalfallah
Berisha
Sydney FC (4-2-2-2)
Janjetovic
Ryall — Ognenovski — Petkovic — Gersbach
Antonis — Dimitrijevic
Ibini — Brosque (C)
Janko — Smeltz
Eyes on:
Terry Antonis… One of the shining lights in Australian Football thus far this year, the defensive midfielder hasn’t been his destructive self in his last two showings, and what better an occasion to remedy that form against major rival Victory on Saturday evening. At only 21 years of age, Antonis looks set to be a promising Socceroo – and it will be his smart decision making, and complete passing package that will threaten the stingy Victory defence. Watch out for an Antonis assist…
Prediction:
Melbourne Victory 2 – 2 Sydney FC
FTSAUS Fact:
– Sydney are the only side Victory have failed to score against this season.
– Victory are the only side still undefeated after nine games this season. They’ve not gone 10 without defeat since October 2007 (including play-offs).
