FTS A-League Round 7 Preview: Melbourne City vs. Sydney FC
Sydney finds themselves playing Melbourne opposition for the second time in two weeks, but this time away from home soil and with their stars returning from international duty. City will be looking for an improvement as they let slip a vital three points from the Mariners last kick of the game at AAMI Park last Sunday and will want to give their increasing crowd numbers some return on their impressive football of late.
City dominated proceedings last week against a very disappointing Mariners team but were unable to put them to the sword. A winning culture hasn’t been established as yet under Van’t Schip and their inability to finish games once again haunts them. Sydney was unlucky not to grab all three points late, but will happily take a point during an international break.
The game this week will be played on City’s terms dominating possession and wanting to pressure the undefeated Sydney away from home. Graham Arnold will be content for his men to hold back and wait until opportunities present themselves from City errors. City is still missing key players in Koren, Murdocca and Germano and will rely heavily on Aaron Mooy returning from Socceroos duty. The form of David Williams has been questionable this season and he will be looking for a significant improvement.
Sasa Ognenovski was outstanding last week, and looked back to his best denying many Victory attacks. His leadership throughout the defense is a key factor on why Sydney has the best defensive record in the league. Keeper Vedran Janjetovic is in career best form and we be looking to add another clean sheet to the tally. The pace of Ibini will test Hoffman and Ramsay down the flanks, whilst Kisnorbo and Wielaert will be busy keeping Austrian international Mark Janko out of the contest. Shane Smeltz could be a real wildcard from the bench, especially given Melbourne City has conceded 75% of their goals in second halves this season.
Both clubs will be desperate to avoid the stalemate from the opening round of the season and consolidate their place in the top six.
Eyes On… Graham Arnold and Tony Pignata will be looking forward to naming Terry Antonis in the starting XI after the fiasco of last week. Whilst correctly missing the game because of an international call up Antonis will be keen to make amends from missing his first game of the season last week. Antonis has an extra reason to impress this week as he just put pen to paper on a 2 year deal at the club and will be keen to reward the club for the contract extension.
Form Guide
Head to Head:
Played: 13 Melbourne City: 4 Draws: 6 Sydney FC: 3
Last time they met:
11/10/2014 – Sydney 1 drew with Melbourne City 1 at Allianz Stadium in the opening round of the season. David Villa scored on his A-League debut.
Form Guide:
Melbourne City: DLLWD Sydney FC: WWWDD
Absentee List
Melbourne City: Massimo Murdocca (groin – 1-2 weeks), Jonathan Germano (hamstrings 3-4 weeks), Robert Koren (calf 2-3 weeks)
Sydney FC: Corey Gameiro (knee – season), Matt Jurman (knee – 1 week)
Possible XI
Melbourne City: Redmayne, Hoffman, Kisnorbo, Wielaert, Garrucio, Paartalu, Miller, Mooy, Duff, Ramsay, Dugandzic
Sydney FC: Janjetovic, Petkovic, Ryall, Ognenovski, Dimitrijevic, Antonis, Gligor, Carle, Ibini, Brosque, Janko
Prediction
Sydney has only conceded three goals for the season and should be comfortable once again against a fragile City attack. City has improved over the last fortnight and is playing well at home but not getting the deserved results. Tough game to call but I think Sydney will be too strong away from home
Sydney 2-0
FTSAUS Fact
- Sydney hasn’t conceded a goal for over 7 hours (422 minutes).
- Sydney is the only current club Melbourne City has a positive record over with 4 wins to 3.
The team at ‘From The Stands’ wish youngster Corey Gameiro a successful recovery. It’s never great seeing a youngster miss so much football and be ruled out for the season, no matter what team the individual plays for.
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