Melbourne Victory are winless in four A-League Men matches but coach Tony Popovic is confident they’re delivering enough quality to end the trend when they face Adelaide United.
Victory have drawn their past four matches but will welcome back Nick D’Agostino and Ben Folami from Socceroos duties and Matthew Spiranovic from COVID-19 for Saturday’s away match.
Adelaide has proved a happy hunting ground for Victory under Popovic in both the league and FFA Cup and Popovic hopes they will return to winning ways there.
“We won two consecutive games and now we’ve had four consecutive draws. It’s six games that we’ve played well in,” Popovic said.
“Of course we would have liked a few more wins. We have to believe that if we keep playing well and creating those opportunities and limiting the opponent to very little the results will go in our favour.
“We know what’s waiting for us tomorrow.
“We know Adelaide is a team that you really have to earn your points against and they’re a team that goes to the 95th minute and beyond. They’re always in the game and their fans get behind them.”
Adelaide star Craig Goodwin has consistently proved a thorn in Victory’s side with Popovic wary of what the Socceroos winger could deliver.
“Maybe we’ve just got to try and stop the supply to him,” he said.
“We know when he’s got the ball in good areas he’s very dangerous. Set pieces he’s very dangerous. That’s what you expect from a good player.
“We’re happy that we’re coming up against him and hopefully, we can give him some problems going the other way that will limit his opportunities.”
Roderick Miranda is out through suspension while Victory are on the hunt for a replacement goalkeeper with confirmation Matt Action will miss six-to-eight weeks through an avulsion fracture.
As a result Ivan Kelava returns to the starting line-up while youngster Marko Bulic will sit on the bench.
