Melbourne Victory host Perth Glory at AAMI Park on Saturday evening, in the latest round of A-League fixtures.
The hosts are bottom of the league table, but the playoffs are still within reach if they have a strong end to the season, while the visitors are up in seventh place.
Match preview
© Reuters
Melbourne Victory have had a difficult season, picking up just 24 points from 22 games, but it is still all to play for, given that they are just five points off the playoff places, with four games to go.
Victory would have to go on a near-perfect run to have any chance of finishing in the top six, however, and the defeat against rivals Melbourne City last time out has done them no favours.
Tony Popovic's side lost 2-1, although only one of their opponents' goals was scored on the day, with the derby recommencing from the 23rd minute having been abandoned over 100 days ago.
The defeat ended a two-game winning run for Victory, having beaten Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners in the two games prior, which displayed they have what it takes to compete with the better sides in the A-League.
In their last five home league matches, the Dark Blues have won three, drawn one and lost one, which bodes well heading into Monday's game, despite the fact they lost 3-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Indeed, Perth Glory ran out winners in the previous meeting between the two sides, but it has not been their best A-League campaign, currently sitting outside of the playoff places, although they do have a game in hand on most of the teams around them.
The Glory have picked up 27 points from 22 games, leaving them two points behind sixth-placed Sydney FC, meaning Monday's game is a fantastic opportunity to move into the playoffs, building on their fantastic recent form.
Ruben Zadkovich's side are now on a three-game unbeaten run, which started when they defeated fourth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers in early March, and they have since gone on to draw with Newcastle Jets and beat a struggling Macarthur side.
Perth Glory did not make things easy for themselves against Macarthur, with Lachlan Rose scoring for the visitors on the stroke of half-time, but second-half goals from Adam Taggart and Mark Beevers secured a 2-1 victory.
It was an important victory for Zadkovich's men, but they are now tasked with winning away from home for the first time since the end of October, having lost six and drawn two of their last eight matches on the road.
Team News
Jason Geria is making progress in his return from injury, having been deemed fit enough to make the bench for Melbourne Victory last time out, but Stefan Nigro is likely to keep his place at right-back.
Bruno Fornaroli has been the Victory's main attacking threat this season, scoring five goals in his last seven games, and the forward should get the nod in attack alongside Fernando Romero.
Perth Glory midfielder Aaron McEneff had to be withdrawn with an injury in the first half last weekend, so Luke Bodnar could come into the team, playing in a defensive role behind Mustafa Amini and Keegan Jelacic.
David Williams has missed the last two games with an injury issue, so Taggart should keep his place in attack, having scored his third A-League goal of the season in his previous appearance.
Melbourne Victory possible starting lineup:
Izzo; Nigro, Da Silva, Miranda, Kadete; Brillante, Chapman, Ikonomidis, Folami; Fornaroli, Romero
Perth Glory possible starting lineup:
Cook; Muir, Lachman, Beevers; Bodnar, Ostler, Amini, Jelacic, Clisby; Williams, Taggart
We say: Melbourne Victory 1-0 Perth Glory
Melbourne Victory's recent uptick in form, coupled with Perth Glory's very poor away record indicates the most likely result is a narrow win for the hosts, in what could be a crucial game in the race for the playoffs.
Perth have picked up just five points on the road all season, the fewest of any side in the A-League, and they have shown no real signs of improvement away from home in recent weeks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
