Haven’t we met before?

Melbourne Victory travel north to Brisbane this Saturday night to face the Roar in a match that has quickly become a grudge match between the two sides. As soon as current Victory manager Ange Postecoglou left Roar just days after leading them to their second consecutive championship to take the top job in Melbourne, this fixture turned into a match of high stakes. This fixture however means more than bragging rights as both side jostle for positions inside the top six. Both Roar and Victory are coming off wins the previous weekend, both in contrasting circumstances. Roar grinded their way to a 1-0 victory against Adelaide United in a match were they wasted opportunities in front of goal, including a missed penalty from Besart Berisha. Impotence in front of goal wasn’t an issue for Melbourne last weekend at AAMI Park as they won 5-0, all be it against an under-strength Newcastle Jets side.

Melbourne got their groove back last weekend in emphatic style as they dismantled the Jets 5-0. It was never going to be easy for the Jets coming off a short turnaround from playing in New Zealand days earlier, as well as resting key men Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges. They made it even harder for themselves as Victory were hardly trouble in the heat with Newcastle treating them to two penalty kicks and a red card to defender Taylor Reagan. No one enjoyed Archie Thompson’s return to the side more than Marco Rojas with the kiwi himself returning to top gear with a classy double. Melbourne will need to fire off that form from last weekend for a Roar side still in the race for finals football. Roar managed to climb into sixth position at the end of last round with a 1-0 away win against Adelaide United. Brisbane got the better of Adelaide all over the park but couldn’t increase the margin. Brisbane now finds themselves unbeaten in three matches and occupying the last finals position on the ladder. Roar will be out to keep this going against a side they have had the better of in recent encounters. Victory last took three points off Brisbane way back in September 2010, with the last game between the two ending 1-1.

Melbourne looked a much better unit last weekend with Archie Thompson back leading the line. Newcastle did however make Victory look like world beaters with their own performance, but Victory’s attack looking noticeably improved with the number 10 back in action. Going forward Victory rely heavily on Thompson linking up with the midfield, something that was missing with Archie’s absence. It is no coincidence that Victory lost all the games that Thompson did not feature in, including the Adelaide game when he came off early due to his injury. Marcos Flores will however miss again due to injury. It is believed himself and Nick Ansell will both return next week against Sydney FC. Dan Mullen has fit into the side seamlessly. Mullen has linked up well with captain Adrian Leijier who he has formed a good partnership with. Mullen even found the back of the net last week against Newcastle, but was harshly disallowed for an alleged foul in the box during the lead up for the goal.

Suncorp Stadium hasn’t been the best of places for Melbourne Victory to travel to in recent memory. The last time Melbourne travelled to Suncorp was a nightmare for Victory, going down 5-0 in a match they offered very little in. The scars from that much will surely still be in the Victory squad. It’s a game Postecoglou will remember for all the wrong reasons as a tirade of vitriol greeted him back to his former place of employment from Roar players and fans, not to mention the result inflicted onto his side. Victory has adapted greatly since then and has greatly improved. Victory cannot afford to slip back into the form they produced during their run of three defeats and need to continue where they left off from last weekend.

Prediction:

Melbourne to just get over the line in a tight affair, 2-1.

 

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