Roar Guru
Tonight’s game between Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory will take on extra significance tonight after the Heart inflicted a 2-0 loss upon Adelaide last night. We’ll have commentary on the live action from 9.45pm AEDT.
A wonder strike from the ‘Kiwi Messi’ Marco Rojas saw the Victory get one over the Glory in a narrow 1-0 win in their last encounter at AAMI Park earlier this season.
Both sides are facing differing fortunes at the moment. While the Glory are yet to hit their straps with an ageing squad, Victory have shown they are looking both short and long term. Witness the signings of ex-Rangers attacker Francesco Stella, ex-Perth youth product Jesse Makarounas and NYL side AIS captain Scott Galloway this week.
Somewhat deceiving scorelines played out for both sides last week. Perth come in off a 3-2 loss away to Adelaide United, while Victory are coming off a potentially deflating 1-1 draw to the Mariners.
The Glory will possibly welcome back Josh Risdon and Michael Thwaite to the starting defensive duties, while the Victory will miss Billy Celeski (suspended) and Nick Ansell (groin injury) with Jonathan Bru and Leigh Broxham likely to take their places.
Perth have the wood over the Victory at their home fortress nib Stadium but whether that will last after tonight remains to be seen.
Postecoglou has the Victory displaying a new mentality and attacking football to boot, and they’ll head across the Nullabor confident they can grab all three points tonight.
This may be the moment Perth begin their run to finals, similiar to their run in season seven. They have the class and steel to do so in Smeltz, Miller and Burns, and Victory will need to be as quick as possible and run at the Glory defence.
A win for the Glory would see them back in the top six while a Victory win will see them pressuring Adelaide for that second spot. We should see a close contest between two sides with serious A-League title aspirations.