After a fine start to the season, Melbourne City have lost form and need a win against the struggling Perth Glory to reignite their campaign. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
Matches between City and Perth last season were among the most enthralling the A-League has dished up in years, contributing 22 goals across five encounters.
Glory will have fond memories of most of those contests, defeating City 3-2 at AAMI Park, before producing a great effort to draw 3-3 at the same venue weeks later in one of the games of the year.
The goals continued to pour in Perth, with the Glory securing a 5-4 victory that laid the platform for their most important victory of all – a 2-0 win at AAMI Park a week later, in the first week of the finals.
Overall, these two sides love to put on a show against each other and it wouldn’t surprise to see goals in a game both teams really need to win.
City are on a three-match winless streak, courtesy of defeats to Sydney and Brisbane and a draw against the Wanderers. During that period, they have only scored two goals, and desperately need the likes of Tim Cahill, Bruce Kamau and Ross McCormack to fire.
Howeve, coach Warren Joyce has been forced to deny issues with both McCormack and Cahill.
City’s star Scottish international, who has endured Achilles issues for months, missed last weekend’s 3-1 loss at Brisbane Roar. Joyce cited a troublesome tendon as the reason McCormack didn’t travel to Queensland, but reports this week said the 31-year-old was stood down after missing training.
On the Cahill front, the Socceroos great raised eyebrows last week for suggesting he might need to leave City if he didn’t get more game time, in order to prepare for the World Cup.
The coach has to start both tonight if the wishes to put to bed any reports of dysfunctional relationships in the dressing room.
As for Perth, injuries have not helped their cause in recent weeks, with Spanish star Diego Castro missing last week’s clash against Victory. Adam Taggart is also out injured.
Prediction
Castro tormented the Melburnians last season with man of the match performances. If he remains absent, the Glory may struggle to break down City away from home.
Mind you, contests between these two sides are eventful affairs and City will be asking for trouble if they fail to improve recent form.
City to win 3-2
Nemesis
Guest
Malik's RED is easy to understand. Studs up, into the groin of the opponent = RED every day, in every league. Malik, Manny Muscat... just as well City got rid of Melling.
punter
Guest
So a studs up tackle into the groin is not a red card offence? This tackle could've have broken the young kid's leg. I must've been playing a different game all these years.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I just saw the highlights of this game. I have to say Nichols positioning for that last goal was the worst I have ever seen. He completely took himself out as a option.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
But Milligan deserved his red for a deliberate head butt. That’s an easy one to understand.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Both sides had a bit of the ball, it ebbed and flowed. We started off seriously on the wrong foot and the Glory goal was reward for their better start. Then it was our turn and a great free kick by McCormack did the trick. The Malik red and penalty swung the game but we battled on with 10 men. Our trouble was that our passing is slow and Glory just regrouped and had two buses parked. They allowed us the ball and dared us to find a way through. Nope, we couldn’t. We have some serious issues and Wazza must be under the pump to find answers with Marwood in the stand watching the disaster unfold.
Nemesis
Guest
Ha! Same people dancing gleefully at Milligan's Red Card whining 24 hrs later. Karma is a bit￠h. That's 2 red cards for Malik in 7 games played.
Kangajets
Guest
Agree Steve But glory we’re looking the better team . City looked all out sync tonight .
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Shambles.Everything. Malik red card. Come on. Penalty, well the poor tackle deserved a sanction but a straight send off. That changed the game. The way VAR has been implemented needs a compete rethink.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Glory continue their fine form against City, securing a 3-1 win at AAMI Park - their third victory in a row over the Melbournian outfit. Glory got off to a quick start courtesy of a goal from Nichols before City equalised through a great freekick by McCormack. With City beginning to dominate possession, the Glory won a penalty courtesy of a VAR review which spotted a poor foul from Malik in the area on Italiano. Malik was sent off and Torres converted from the spot to give Glory a lead they never relinquished. Despite dominating possession, City never looked comfortable with the ball, and not even Cahill's introduction could inspire City to produce a more proactive showing on the pitch. A deserved victory for Perth as they get back to winning ways. City meanwhile are still well positioned, but they won't last long in the top six if they continue to play with no plan or chemistry. FULLTIME City 1 Glory 3
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Another tough night for City fans. Poor performance and poor result against a Perth outfit missing plenty of firepower. Keogh was subbed off early while Taggart and Castro remain sidelined. City miss Fornaroli badly. Brandan needs to come back as well. FULLTIME City 1 Glory 3
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - City clueless with the ball. They really are. Being a man down doesn't mask the fact that City are ordinary with possession. City 1 Glory 3
Alan
Roar Guru
86'- Since facing Sydney FC, City have gone downhill badly and don't look like finishing top six let alone challenging for the premiership. This is a good win for Glory without their best player Diego Castro. City 1 Glory 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Game over. Perth are rewarded for their patience with the final nail in City's coffin. Mallia secured possession and raced downfield before calmly slotting past Galekovic to seal all three points for the Glory! City simply can't touch Perth at AAMI Park. City 1 Glory 3
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - City win a freekick and they have looked more dangerous from set pieces. What can they do here. Mallia is booked. Perth deal with the delivery and a chance to seal the deal on the counter! They do! GOAL PERTH City 1 Glory 3
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - City dominating possession but they are devoid of any ideas going forward. Perth content to sit back. City with time to rescue a draw. City 1 Glory 2
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - City still stuttering along in possession. Perth though could be a bit more proactive being a man up. City 1 Glory 2
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Cahill called back for offside as he is played in before scoring. Tight call. City 1 Glory 2
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - City with possession but need to start playing more up-tempo to get back in this. City 1 Glory 2
Kangajets
Guest
This second half is poor . Hard to watch
Alan
Roar Guru
Finally! Cahill comes on for McCormack who scored a great freekick in the first half. City 1 Glory 2