Melbourne Victory travels to face Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Friday for its final game of the Hyundai A-League season before finals.
Summary
Victory comes into the match with strong A-League form having won five of its last six games, including a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix in Round 26 last Sunday.
WATCH: Kenny Athiu’s winner
However, Victory faces a tough challenge against table-toppers Sydney FC – a side it hasn’t beaten since the 2015/16 season.
It will be boosted by the returns of Kosta Barbarouses and Rhys Williams who missed the Wellington match through suspension.
Sydney has won its last three matches following a shock 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium back in Round 23.
It defeated Adelaide United 3-0 at home last Sunday night.
Player in focus – Kosta Barbarouses
What They Said
“All of the travel has galvanised us, when your backs are against the wall and you don’t think anything is going for you, it does have a magical way of galvanising the group,” Victory Head Coach Kevin Muscat.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 18
Melbourne Victory 1-3 Sydney FC
Friday, January 26, 2018
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Victory took the lead in the 58th minute when Besart Berisha converted a penalty, but Sydney quickly equalised through Bobo.
Another Bobo goal, a Jason Geria red card and a David Carney strike late in the match sealed the three points for Sydney FC.
Head to head
Round 18, 2017/18: Victory 1-3 Sydney at AAMI Park
Round 1, 2017/18: Victory 0-1 Sydney at Etihad Stadium
Grand Final, 2016/17: Sydney 1-1 Victory (4-2 pens) at Allianz Stadium
Round 22, 2016/17: Sydney 1-0 Victory at Allianz Stadium
Round 17, 2016/17: Victory 1-2 Sydney at Etihad Stadium
Match details
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Friday, 13 April 2018
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Sydney Olympic Park
Kick-Off: 7:50 PM (Local) (7:50 PM AEST)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Cream
Assistant Referee 2: Owen Goldrick
Fourth Official: Stephen Lucas
Video Assistant Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport Pop Up 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (SRN). ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Sydney FC squad: (two to be omitted) 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (Gk), 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 5.Jordy BUIJS, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.BOBÔ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 12.Fabio FERREIRA, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 17.David CARNEY, 18.Matt SIMON, 20.Alex CISAK (Gk), 23.Rhyan GRANT, 26.Luke WILKSHIRE.
Ins: 4.AlexWILKINSON (promoted), 23.Rhyan GRANT (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Melbourne Victory squad: (two to be omitted) 1.Matt ACTON (Gk), 4.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 14.Thomas DENG, 16.Josh HOPE, 17.James DONACHIE, 18.Matias SANCHEZ, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (Gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22. Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 24.Terry ANTONIS, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS, 41.Leroy GEORGE
Ins: 4.Rhys WILLIAMS (returns from suspension), 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES (returns from suspension)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee)
