Perth Glory will look to get back to winning way this afternoon when they host the unbeaten Melbourne Heart at nib Stadium. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.00pm AEDT.
The Glory have won their last three home games but are arriving off the back of a defeat to the Central Coast Mariners last week, while the Heart conjured up a frustrating draw in a match where they were left rueing missed opportunities.
However, form alone should not be solely analysed for this upcoming encounter as there are a number of key omissions from both squads which may prove the difference.
For the Heart defender Simon Colosimo is out serving a one match ban for a red card he received for a goal line handball in the previous match against the Wellington Phoenix. An act of Suarez-esque jugdement has left the Heart without a solid defender in Colosimo who has been in fine form, especially against the Victory in round one.
Conversely, Perth Glory are suffering up front with key man and potential game-changer Shane Smeltz recently ruled out due to a hamstring injury which he picked up on international duty and will see the Glory talisman ruled out for two weeks.
This could prove to be a telling exclusion for the Perth Glory as in their previous meetings with the Heart, Smeltz has been unstoppable.
In Perth’s upset 2-1 win at AAMI Park last season in round two, Smeltz scored a brace, following that performance up a year later in a recent pre-season friendly where the Glory beat Heart 5-0 and Smeltz again scored a first-half brace.
In this way it will be interesting to watch how Glory respond to their star exclusion, likely handing Billy Mehmet a start up front with the likes of Steve McGarry and Travis Dodd also at Ian Ferguson’s disposal.
The Glory coach has even commented on Smeltz’s injury, stating, “Smeltzy always has goals in him and you’re always going to miss that top quality of player who can change a game in a heartbeat.”
Unfortunately for the Glory the omissions do not end with Smeltz, as central defender Bas van den Brink has also been ruled out of the match sustaining a calf injury with his replacement being utility Steve Pantelidis.
There is no doubt this will be a lively encounter as both sides attempt to consolidate the starts they have made season eight and it will be difficult to look past the Glory who maintain an impressive home record, despite the fact they are missing their main striker.
But the Heart are playing impressive football and without their proverbial ‘bane’ playing against them I think they may cause an upset and finish victors 2-1.
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