Melbourne Victory face off against Sydney FC in the Big Blue clash at Etihad Stadium on Australia Day. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
Melbourne Victory seem to have found their mojo. The middle of the season hasn’t been pleasant for them though a comprehensive win against an in-form Brisbane Roar last week is a good sign that the Champions are back.
The best way to test for sure, though, is an Australia Day clash against Sydney FC. It’s a match that always promises tension, controversy and goals.
The first instalment this season saw Victory come from behind twice to defeat Sydney 4-2 at Allianz Stadium. And a similar edge-of-your-seat experience can be expected this time around.
Graham Arnold’s Sky Blues could climb to the top of the ladder with a win over their rivals tonight, and have been in good form over the middle of the season. With Brendan O’Neill, Andrew Hoole and Alex Gersbach all returning from Olyroos duty, Sydney will be at their best and ready to take on a strong Victory outfit.
Sydney’s recent performances also place them in a good position to take the points tonight, and finally overcome Victory, which they have failed to do in their past eight attempts.
A win for Melbourne Victory would put them level third with Sydney, and just three points behind top spot. However, they haven’t had as much luck with returning Olyroos.
Of the five that departed for international duty, only two can be said to be regular starting XI players, and one of those players – Thomas Deng – returns with an injury that will force him to sit out of the clash.
The Big Blue is always a clash that promises to entertain, and this instalment should be no different. Expect both sides to tussle for possession, though Melbourne’s midfield will need to be at their best to keep up with a strong Sydney engine.
Prediciton: Sydney FC to win 2-1
j binnie
Guest
Agent 86 -Thank you ,you are right ,and I don't need to change my figures for they are exactly the same as you indicate and no matter how I try to divide the total (76747) I can't come up with the figure I gave in my comment.All I can do is apologise to Bob, you and others for any inconvenience I may have caused. For your interest the round's total which was very good, actually raised the aggregate average crowd from 12,203 per game at game 75 to 12,400 per game at game 80, ,but to be honest we need some more 30,000+ crowds if that average is to keep on an upward trend. Thanks again for your correction,always welcome to be kept accurate.. Cheers jb ps Can't pass any comment on the game only saw the last 4 minutes but score line was no surprise. jb
Agent 86
Guest
Bob is almost correct. Figures for the round are 12923 Roar, 13105 Mariners, 9403 Jets, 10823 City & 30493 Victory for a total of 76747. Divide that by the 5 games and you get an average for the round of 15349. You may need to double check the figures you have there jb.
j binnie
Guest
Bob -Hate to correct you (wish you were right) but the average attendance for the 5 matches over the weekend was 13,401. some 2250 down on your figure cheers jb.
Pauly
Guest
Too busy making revenge videos. Or should that be, "wevenge"?
Pauly
Guest
Might help though...
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
What about Holosko? Did you actually watch the game?
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Actually it was Victory who played with a back four and attacked on the counter. You need to stop talking about something you seem to have very little knowledge of.
Baracuda
Guest
Nice mosaic pitch served up by Etihad staff, football playing unteenth fiddle once again. Could there least be a summer operating agreement on the table for victory?
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Brilliant weekend of A-League action with average attendance of 15,650 per match. Another beauty this weekend, only a few days away, SFC v Roar, Wanderers v Melb City and Victory away in Perth. All top 5 teams just a win away from regaining top spot. What a great football League this is and no gimmicks or saturation advertising and marketing required.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
What are they supposed to do, play with 1 defender and let Victory have free shots on goal. Actually if you knew anything about football it was MV who played with a back four and attacked on the counter,
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Was I watching anti-football tonight? This from a gaffer who probably harbours getting the Socceroos job sometime in the future. Lord help us.
AZ_RBB
Guest
It's a shame there aren't more SFC fans on this site. This game would have created some entertaining banter. Bring on the weekend ahead. Will be epic.
pete4
Guest
I agree. Here's a new one Arnold claims Sydney controlled large parts of the game "without the ball"
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
And that's all she wrote. Kosta Barbarouses was the standout for me and the only real threat to Sydney's defence. Next week will be one hell of a round with only 3 points between 1st & 5th with Wanderers hosting City, in-form Perth hosting Victory and Sydney hosting Brisbane. Should be fun!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
They were diabolical TBH. The supporters can't be too happy with what Arnie is dishing out.
pete4
Guest
Sydney FC can have few complaints when you try park the bus and it doesn't work out
Stevo
Roar Rookie
5 min to go and Arnie brings on his latest lucky charm Abbas to pull the game out of the fire.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Superb save from Vukovic! I thought that was in the back of the net.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
There you go. Jurman unlucky scores own goal. He"s had to do a ton of defending. Poor chap.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Barbs is having a day out. It's only a matter of time before he creates havoc given the amount of space he's being afforded