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Melbourne Victory will be out to arrest a two-game losing slump when they host Adelaide United at Etihad Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.45pm AEDT.
The last time these two teams met they played out a thrilling 2-2 all draw at Coopers Stadium, Adelaide took a 2-nil lead only to have the Victory come back and steal a point in the final 15 minutes.
The match wasn’t without controversy with Adelaide scoring first through a penalty to Cirio after it was deemed that Neumann was brought down by Victory keeper Coe.
Then just two minutes later Adelaide was two up thanks to a retaken free kick which deflected off the post and Neumann tapped it in.
Victory’s fightback in the match started when Finkler scored 12 minutes from time, the comeback was completed three minutes into stoppage time with Troisi sending a rocket off the cross bar and into the net.
Credit must go to the Victory in the last game showing some spirit to come back from two goals down in the last 15 minutes, however this time around they won’t want to give Adelaide a generous start again.
New Victory coach Kevin Muscat will be homing that a return home will help his team’s recent poor form. Melbourne returns on the back of consecutive losses to both Sydney teams in the last two rounds.
History is against the Big V here as they have only beaten Adelaide once in their last nine meetings, before that however Adelaide lost 10 matches in a row from September 2008 to October 2010.
They also are entering this game on the back of some poor form as well.
Adelaide have failed to win a game since the opening round this year and yet could still leap frog the Victory if they win, this shows you how poor both teams are travelling.
The Gamebreaker – Archie Thompson
Down on his regular output Thompson has struggled on recent times. His last two seasons have seen a decline in his scoring output.
Thompson has scored 16 goals in 49 games, down on his A-League scoring rate of almost one in two matches.
His reason form has been promising with the 35-year-old scoring two goals in his last three games which might indicate that he is back in form.
Coming up against one of the worst defences in the competition is always another reason he could produce the goods.
Thompson also needs just four goals to go past Shane Smeltz as the all-time leading goalscorer in the A-League.
Prediction
Expect goals in this one, both Melbourne and Adelaide have scored eight goals this season which is equal second.
The Reds have conceded nine goals which is the equal worse defensive record in the competition and the Victory have allowed eight goals so far.
The Victory will be set to welcome back Milligan from international duty who was superb in the Socceroos’ 1-0 over Costa Rica.
That alone will set the game in Melbourne’s favour and with a big crowd expected I can’t see Melbourne losing.
Victory 3-1 Adelaide
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