Round 27 preview: Wanderers v Victory

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Melbourne Victory looks to continue its good record against the Western Sydney Wanderers as it completes its Hyundai A-League regular season.

Summary

Victory makes the trip to ANZ Stadium on Saturday already assured of third place and a home Elimination Final.

It heads to Sydney unbeaten in its past 10 matches against the Wanderers, who will finish eighth on the table.

Victory also has a strong record at ANZ Stadium, winning three and drawing one of its four matches there.

It goes into the clash on the back of a hard-earned 1-1 draw with Chinese giant Guangzhou Evergrande in the AFC Champions League.

Jai Ingham scored his third AFC Champions League goal as a much-changed Victory produced a fine performance.

Victory is again set to make changes, although star attacker James Troisi is unavailable due to a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Terry Antonis, who enjoyed a good game against Guangzhou, and goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas are nearing milestone appearances.

Antonis could play his 50th game for the club in all competitions, while Thomas is one appearance away from becoming the first goalkeeper to play 100 Hyundai A-League matches for Victory.

Player in focus

Last time

Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Round 11
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-2 Melbourne Victory
Saturday, January 5, 2019
ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Ola Toivonen helped Victory grab three points when it last faced the Wanderers.

The Swede scored a brace, netting either side of an Alexander Baumjohann penalty, including an 86th-minute winner.

As it stands

Head to head

Round 11, 2018/19: Wanderers 1-2 Victory at ANZ Stadium
Round 6, 2018/19: Victory 4-0 Wanderers at Marvel Stadium
Round 25, 2017/18: Victory 3-1 Wanderers at AAMI Park
Round 17, 2017/18: Wanderers 0-3 Victory at ANZ Stadium
Round 5, 2017/18: Victory 1-1 Wanderers at Marvel Stadium

Match details

Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Kick-off: 7.50pm AEST

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matthew ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Corey BROWN, 4.Keisuke HONDA, 5.Georg NIEDERMEIER, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Terry ANTONIS, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 11.Ola TOIVONEN, 14.Thomas DENG, 15.Raul BAENA, 16.Joshua HOPE, 17.James DONACHIE, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI, 24. Elvis KAMSOBA
**two to be omitted**

Ins:  3.Corey BROWN (promoted), 16.Joshua HOPE (promoted)
Outs: nil
Unavailable: nil

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