In what may prove to be the match of the round, Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners will go head-to-head in a top of the table clash in Launceston. We’ll have live scores and commetnary from 5.30pm AEDT.
Both have been tipped by some to be A-League title contenders and this may prove a sneak preview for what is ahead at the business end of season eight.
Last time these two met one of the best matches of the season was played out at Etihad Stadium with a 2-2 draw the result.
A brace from Danny McBreen for the Mariners, and goals from Marco Rojas and Andrew Nabbout fired the Victory to the draw. Expect another close one this time around.
The Mariners have made the headlines this week without even passing a ball, with Mat Ryan, Tomas Rogic and Bernie Ibini all the subject of transfer speculation. News Limited papers reported yesterday that John Hutchinson, McBreen and Oliver Bozanic may also be out the door this month.
The impact of that on the squad will be something to watch – how long can the Mariners afford to keep selling their best talent during the season?
Central Coast are coming off a 2-0 win away at Western Sydney, while Melbourne Victory are also coming off a 2-0 win at home to the Phoenix.
While Victory has the services of the form winger in the A-League in Rojas, the Mariners boast the competition’s leading scorer in McBreen.
How Victory’s defenders deal with the likes of McBreen, Mile Sterjovski and Bozanic will be decisive, while Pedj Bojic and Josh Rose will take on Rojas and Archie Thompson in another key battle.
While Central Coast will have to deal with the loss of Tomas Rogic to suspension and possibly to an overseas move, Patrick Zwaanswijk returns from injury and will replace the suspended Trent Sainsbury.
Youth product Anthony Caceres is promoted to the squad. Melbourne will travel with an 18-man squad, with Matt Foschini, Theo Markelis and Jimmy Jeggo all included.
The game will also take another dimension than most others would. With bushfires in Tasmania ravaging properties and lives in the state, Melbourne Victory will donate a portion of ticket sales to the Bushfire relief fund.
Garcia
Guest
Butt hurt much?
Berash
Guest
Everyone knows I am a MV hater because of the thug, KM. And I haven't watched all the MV matches in this season. However, whenever I do, I can find traces of that thug DNA in this thug culture. How could a player tackle his opponent with his leg on the opponent's shoulder? Penalty deserved!
midfielder
Guest
Missed the game 1,all away from home with our issues this week .... Goya be ok
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Definitely outplayed CCM - although the Mariners have seemingly made an artform of getting points from teams that outplay them.
Stevo
Guest
It's OK, you can read my comment at half time where I said Rojas was killing it for MV. What I'm commenting on .is that he may be taking the Kiwi Messi thing a little toooo literally when he tries some fancy back-heal flip or whatever - just get the regular stuff right Marcos.
Bondy
Guest
Great game fuss a marked improvement from your blokes from last year,potential contenders.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Won’t waste another Saturday watching this crap." Fair enough. See ya. That was the best 45 minutes of football I've seen MVFC playing in my 7.5 years following the club - simply outstanding display of passing, movement & pressing. The only thing missing was a few more goals; but, that's football & why it's the world's most popular sport.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
You're kidding about Rojas, aren't you? Marco was outstanding in the fist half. He missed a penalty - so what? I've seen the best players in the world miss penalties, including: Messi, Ronaldo (both the POR & BRA version), Baggio, Zidane, Rooney, VanPersie, Robben, Schweinsteiger, etc. etc.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
To be fair to Adelaide, they must have felt the same about the same fixture last year where Jacob Burns hit a fluke goal rather similar to Ramsay's.
Stevo
Guest
"That game" just won't get out of your head will it? :)
Stevo
Guest
Rojas should leave his party tricks at home and just concentrate on getting the 1 percenters right 100% of the time.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
They put on a lot of attractive play against a very strong opponent. Definitely good works going on in the halls of the Hated Enemy-erm, at MV HQ, I mean. Sometimes your scoring is just jinxed - look at the chances Glory had against Adelaide that just somehow wouldn't go in, versus the goals Adelaide took where the ball almost seemed hell-bent on finding its way into the net against hail, rain or high water. Football is like that sometimes (alas!).
Harry the Hornet
Guest
What a load of rubbish! Victory are simply clueless in front of goal. Completely dominated the game and can't for the life of me figure out what their point of attack is supposed to be. Archie is 34 and looks 44, Rojas is the dead ball specialist but can't produce an attacking dead ball. Earth to Ange...why isn't Archie taking the pens? Isn't he the main striker? If not then what the hell position is he supposed to be playing? God awful watching a team that doesn't have a player that is prepared to pull the trigger. 3rd on the ladder is just disrepectful to the rest of the Aleague. There are teams that want to win and teams that don't want to lose. Victory are neither one nor the other. Won't waste another Saturday watching this crap.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Bonne chance!
kelvin g
Guest
1-1, good resut for ccm afterall, not good for mv who funding bush fire funds
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
A big thank you to all Roarers who commented, loved reading the comments. Catch me on twitter @katielambeski for further debate on this one!
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Tiredness and a lack of talent, methinks! I guess I won't get the post of Leijer Fan Club President ):
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
And final result 1-all, Melbourne Victory will be looking around wondering where their last two points disappeared to.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
and it is full-time, what a game, two great teams can't be split...1-1
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
McGlinchey cross cleared by Milligan, can't be much left now