Melbourne Victory have added another win to their ledger in a high-scoring affair against Perth Glory.
Final score
Melbourne Victory 3
Perth Glory 2
Despite what many would consider as an underachieving first half of the season, only four points seperate Melbourne Victory in fifth and Perth Glory in seventh, and only another six points set apart either team from outright fourth.
Nevertheless both teams are aiming to bounce back from disappointing losses as they meet at AAMI Park on Saturday as the Summer of Football Festival rolls on.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm AEDT.
Last match
Melbourne Victory squandered their one-goal lead in Wellington to fall behind to their fifth loss of the season.
Kevin Muscat blamed “individual mistakes” for slumping to defeat in Wellington after they went down to 10-men with Rhys Williams being sent off inside 10 minutes.
Perth Glory were toothless in their 2-0 loss at home to Melbourne City earlier this week, having lost three on the trot, conceded 11 and scored zero. Kenny Lowe needs to dig deep to pull Perth out of the rut.
Squad news
Perth still have an alarming number of players unavailable in six, most notably Brandon Wilson and Jacob Poscoliero.
However they are boosted by the return of two important players to Perth’s lineup being Shane Lowry and Mitch Nichols.
Melbourne Victory have lost Rhys Williams after the Match review Panel allowed his suspension to uphold.
A major issue in defence know looms among Muscat as Thomas Deng is on international duty and James Donachie is out with a quad injury. Carl Valeri returns from suspension.
Tactics
There are a number of routes Victory could take to cover for the loss of their centre backs. Mark Milligan or Leigh Broxham could slot in alongside Dino Djulibic.
In either situation Victory are considerably weaker in midfield or on their left side so it’s a perfect time for Perth Glory to strike while Victory are a little weaker.
The contest between Mitch Nichols and Carl Valeri will be intriguing with Nichols remarkable ability to clock up over 12 kilometres on the field he’ll be able to run the slower Victory midfield a little ragged.
However Perth are extremely vulnerable at the back this season, conceding 30 goals in 15 games and that’s a tasty stat for Beast Berisha who has scored more goals against Perth than any other team in the league with 16 goal sin 15 games against the Glory.
Last time they met in Perth, it was Victory’s first win of the season back in November. This time around, Perth arrive at AAMI Park with a history of goal fests at the ground.
Prediction
Not sure it’ll be a terribly exciting match but still think it will be a score draw between the two sides, perhaps 1-1.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
And the mythical statute says???? The handball was part of the same play that lead to the goal. It wasn't 30 min later LOLz.
Nemesis
Guest
I remember around the 50 minute point of the match, a Perth player took a throw in from the wrong spot. I'm outraged VAR didn't go back to review this footage after Diego Castro scored 31 minutes later. Clearly that throw in gave Castro an unfair advantage 31 minutes later.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
The alleged handball happened in his own half, from memory, I think it's fair that a statute of limitations applies for when you go to the VAR to check out something.
Nemesis
Guest
"Oh that’s right, it was MV, they are a protected species and should be given a free pass." Sounds good to me. We need as many free passes as we can to get to the knock out finals. Let's hope the FFA tell the refs to allow Besart to score the winner on Australia Day, with a handball goal, from an offside position.
Caltex Ten & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Hang on Nem, the VAR was called upon when Castro scored his goal. Only for it to be deemed a legitimate goal being scored. It seems only fair that, the same should have been applied for this MV goal---should have had the same treatment. Oh that's right, it was MV, they are a protected species and should be given a free pass. On the replay we can see that a Melbourne player clearly handles the ball not with one hand, but with both hands before Leroy plays the ball through for the goalscorer. No goal! Perth were robbed of a draw!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I was expecting you to reply to Fad’s comment below re Berisha, and chea..g (because if I spell out the word it sends me to the mods) and handball?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I was expecting you to reply to Fad’s comment below re Berisha, and cheating and handball?
Nemesis
Guest
Can you stop complaining for 24 hours? VAR will not re-referee the match. How funny to have SydFc fans whining about VAR & referee decisions. Let's hope Berisha can put in a winner on Australia Day with his hand & VAR allows it.
Caltex Ten & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Where was the VAR for that last goal MV scored. Handball back in play should have been disallowed. Perth robbed of a draw.
Kangajets
Guest
Lots of goals ??
144
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Well what a terrific second half! Victory get a deserved win but unlucky for Perth as many would believe they could have gotten something out of the match. Leroy George came up with three assists for James Troisi, Mark Milligan and Kosta Barbarouses which cancelled out Scott Neville and Diego Castro's goals.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
Simple game plan tonight, give to Leroy, give it often
144
Roar Guru
VICTORY SUBSTITUTION OFF: Leroy George ON: Matias Sanchez
144
Roar Guru
There will be a minimum of five minutes added on
Stevo
Roar Rookie
LOLz
Fadida
Guest
Handball. Berisha a cheat as always
144
Roar Guru
BARBAROUSES HAS DONE IT! WHAT A FINISH BY THE KIWI A SPECTACUALR BALL FROM GEORGE OVER THE TOP, GREAT TOUCH FROM BARBAROUSES WHO SLIDES IT IN WITH HIS SECOND TOUCH! Leroy George has 3 assists tonight!
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
beautiful control and finish by barbarouses
144
Roar Guru
Desperate defending from Perth Glory to deny George, Berisha and Valeri in the space of 10 seconds.
144
Roar Guru
GOODNESS ME! Great ball in from George and Berisha's header thumps off the post and a massive scramble before Theoharous heads over.