Melbourne Heart will be out to end their run of 13 matches without a win this season when they head west to face Perth Glory in the second half of an A-League double-header. Join us for live scores from 9.45pm AEDT.
The red half of Melbourne began John van ‘t Schip’s second reign as coach on a semi-positive note last Sunday, taking a point away from Bluetongue Stadium after a 0-0 draw with reigning champions Central Coast Mariners.
Still, the result gave the Heart only their fifth point of the season meaning they remain marooned at the foot of the A-League table, eight point off the ninth-placed Wellington Phoenix.
The draw stretched their winless run to 18 games, one off the A-League record set by New Zealand Knights in 2005/06.
Perth, on the other hand, reinvigorated their campaign with a gritty if unstylish 1-0 win over the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium last Saturday night.
The result leaves the Glory on 16 points, still a point outside the top six, but they will move temporarily back into the six with a win here.
In another boost for Glory fans, skipper Jacob Burns returns to the squad after serving a one-match ban stemming from two yellow cards picked up against the Mariners on New Year’s Eve, but Kenny Lowe’s side will still be without marquee defender William Gallas.
Where the Glory need a boost is in their final third. The A-League’s all-time leading goalscorer Shane Smeltz has had an interrupted season to say the very least, and needs to step up to support a side that has managed just 12 goals all season – only better than the Heart, who with nine goals possess the worst attacking record in the competition.
With 14 rounds to go, it’s far too early to say that either side is out of contention at this stage – but every loss heaps on the pressure, and neither will want to go down tonight. Join us for live scores of this A-League double-header from 9.45pm AEDT.
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Sydney moved into fourth with their point but Glory's finals hopes are now officially extinguished.
Anthony Caceres is a player with immense talent and has a fantastic work rate, broke the deadlock against the Mariners in the 74th minute.
