Sydney FC may have had their historic undefeated run ended, but they’re still firmly in control at the top of the ladder as they take on a Melbourne City side looking to break free in the top four. Catch all the action from 7:50pm (AEDT) on The Roar.
After 14 wins, five draws and zero losses, Sydney FC were finally toppled last week to put an end to their chance at a record-breaking ‘invincible’ season.
A controversial 1-nil defeat to the Wanderers proved to the rest of the league that the Sky Blues are indeed penetrable, while Sydney will be looking to make sure it was only a one off.
Although not in the domestic league, Melbourne City are the only other side that has beaten Graham Arnold’s men this season, when they won the FFA Cup late last year to set themselves up as competition favourites.
Despite the loss last week, Sydney still sit eight points clear of Victory at the top of the table and a mammoth 17 points ahead of City, who are in third place with seven games remaining.
While the Sky Blues look set to take the minor premiership, minus a catastrophic collapse, Melbourne risk falling out of the finals altogether. They’re sneaking ahead of Brisbane Roar at the moment on goal difference, with Perth just two points further back in fifth place, and the Wanderers just six points behind, on the edge of the finals equation.
A loss today puts City just one game away from missing out on the finals altogether.
A 5-1 thrashing of Wellington last week put Michael Valankis’ side back on track after a three-game winless streak, but they’re right back in the fire for tonight’s fixture.
However, City have home-ground advantage and are undefeated in their last five games against Sydney, with the Sky Blues winless against either Melbourne team in their last five games at AAMI Park.
Team news
Melbourne have kept the same side as last week, with the addition of two players to an extended matchday squad.
Ivan Franjic returns from a knee injury suffered in the Round 18 Melbourne Derby against Victory, while Bruce Kamau has been promoted into the side.
There were hopes during the week of an early return for Michael Jakobsen, but the Danish defender is will sit out a third week with a calf strain.
For Sydney, Aaron Calver and George Blackwood have been added to the side that went down last week, with two changes to be made for kickoff.
Prediction
This is a make or break game for Melbourne, but the pressure is on Sydney as well, looking to bounce back from the loss last week and keep the Victory at bay at the pointy end of the standings.
City haven’t had the best campaign in 2017, but Sydney’s recent record at this venue puts a lot of pressure on them. City could cause another upset here, but the two sides might be sharing the points.
1-1 draw
Mister Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Brilliante response from Sydney FC after the disappointment of last week. Brisbane Roar lost 5 in a row after their unbeaten run was broken, so it was going to show us how good they really are. They are taking this season's A-League title with one hand on the trophy already. Shame about Melbourne City though, they need a very competitive second team in that city to create some genuine rivalry as does every major city, but it looks like a Syd FC v Victory grand final in Sydney now..
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The final whistle sounds and a chorus of boos bellow around the stadium as the home fans voice their disappointment at a 3-1 defeat to the ladder leaders. Two goals in a minute set up the game in the first half as Nick Fitzgerald hit a stunning equaliser less than 60 seconds after Bobo opened the scoring at the other end from the spot. A red card for City late in the first changed the game though and Sydney used the numbers advantage to pack on two more goals in the second half to take the three points after losing their undefeated streak one week ago. A dominant second half took the sky blues to victory, increasing their lead at the top of the table into double figures once again. For Melbourne, they're now at risk of dropping a couple of spots by the end of the weekend, putting their finals hopes at risk. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 WHAT A SAVE!!! That should have been a goal but Sorensen makes a fingertip save diving full stretch. Ibini hit a beautiful ball into the middle of the box, finding Carney who has a man on him. The veteran pulls up, swivels and fires off the shot towards the bottom left corner of goal. Very unlucky not to have his name on the board. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 Rose and Ibini wrestling over halfway, the former winning the free kick for his side but they send it straight into the defence. Sydney looking to jump forward quickly on the transition. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 minutes of stoppage time. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
89' The pace of the game has just plummeted in the last minute. Both sides have nearly stopped playing as the clock winds down. Melbourne just pushing up in defence but Sydney are happy to knock it around halfway. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
88' Fornaroli down now clutching at the leg but play continues this time as he limps around the park. Sydney just pushing the ball around the back line, not sure whether to kick it out or not but the ref tells them to continue. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' Stoppage in the game with a player down. This will just add some extra time into stoppage. Nothing to it in the end as play gets back underway. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Jack
Guest
What to do about standard of ref in a league. ....
Connor Bennett
Editor
86' Ninkovic now!! Sydney setting up the play beautifully, finishing with a shot on goal by Ninkovic. Sorensen pushes it down as Zullo comes flying through looking for a rebound, but the City keeper dives on it to make the save. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
85' Melbourne have looked alive in the last few minutes but it looks to be too little too late. They need to be finishing off these chances but Sydney continue to survive at the back in the final minutes. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' FORNAROLI!!! Bruno Fornaroli working some magic across the left side of the box, cutting back inside one and getting past a second before firing off the shot towards goal. Vukovic makes a superb diving save to his left and hangs onto it. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' City trying to push possession around the park here in search of space... Brandan makes his way into the box looking for some more fancy footwork... and he's gone down!! Grant with a little contact in the back but the ref lets it go and the Argentine isn't happy about it. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' Grant down the right flank, giving it back inside to Ninkovic who one touches it to Ibini at the top of the box. Plays the one-two with Grant looking to come back into the play with goal in sight... but the final pass is a little too long and out over the back for a goal kick. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
81' Into the final ten minutes now. Brandan firing in a new sense of hope for City as the game slips away from them. Can they salvage a draw? Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' Brandan moving through centre field, beating one, stepping aside of a second... into the box now!! BRANDAN!! Wrestlers between two more and it's just the keeper to beat now... surely not!! Oh he just toes it through there on the final ball and it rolls to Vukovic, but wow what a run from Fernando Brandan. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' Melbourne are looking defeated at the moment. The body language isn't great after a grinding second half for the home side. They're still in this contest though. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' SUBSTITUTION Change for both sides. Skipper Alex Brosque coming off for Sydney in place of fellow A-League veteran David Carney. For Melbourne, Bruce Kamau comes on for Nick Fitzgerald. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' Melbourne looking to make waves down the left edge. Grant being a nuisance in defence but City find a way through, getting the cross in but it's a long way over the top of Fornaroli. Melbourne City – 1 Sydney FC – 3