Roar Guru
Melbourne City will be looking to consolidate their position in the top six when they travel north to face the high-flying Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar from 7:40pm (AEDT) for live score updates and commentary.
If the last round was anything to go by, then both these teams have struck some serious form at the right time of the season.
Sydney FC defeated Brisbane in a nine-goal thriller, while Melbourne City proved too good for the Jets, defeating them 4-0.
Over the past few weeks Sydney FC have skyrocketed into premiership contention, winning their last four matches, playing very convincing football to sit second on the A-League ladder.
Melbourne City’s spirit will be significantly boosted after a destructive victory over the Jets, elevating them back into sixth. City will be determined to continue this form in their attempt to break away from the Roar who currently sit in seventh place, only two points behind them on 25 points.
Sydney have beaten City three times out of their last five meetings, with the Sky Blues winning their previous encounter 2-1 in November. Sydney has also been unbeaten in four home games against City.
Sydney FC will make two inclusions to the side that beat Brisbane last week with, with Jacques Faty and George Blackwood coming into the side. Melbourne City have included Jason Hoffman and Marc Marino, while new recruit Josh Kennedy has been left out of the side due to an injured hip.
This fixture has produced 76 total bookings over 15 matches, with an average of five bookings a match, making it the eighth most booked fixture on average in the league.
Last week Marc Janko conveyed his destructive ability, as the Austrian captain took his goal scoring tally to 16, scoring a hat-trick and elevating himself to top of the golden boot race, and establishing himself as a Johnny Warren medal favourite. The 31-year-old has taken the league by storm this season, leading the Sky Blues from the front.
Having scored seven goals in the first 15 minutes of play, Melbourne City are known for their lightning starts. Sydney FC meanwhile, have failed to finish their matches strongly, conceding ten goals in the last 15 minutes of play.
Prediction
Sydney are unbeaten in their last nine games and will be looking to continue their dominance in the league with a strong performance at home.
Sydney 2-1
Will the Sky Blues continue their unbeaten run? Or will City be able to cement their spot inside the top six with a win? Join The Roar from 7:40pm to find out.