Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory have released their squads ahead of Wednesday night’s recommenced December fixture which was suspended in the 21st minute.
City captain Scott Jamieson will be available for selection with his one-match suspension, following a red card against Newcastle Jets, to be served next Monday when the league leaders host Wellington Phoenix.
Football Australia have deemed Wednesday’s match to be a started but not completed fixture from prior to his dismissal against the Jets, meaning he is able to play the replayed Derby.
Youngsters Kerrin Stokes and Sebastian Esposito have been named in an extended squad, with no one dropping out of the squad that drew 1-1 with Newcastle.
Meanwhile, right-back Jason Geria and striker Fernando Romero have been added to an extended Victory squad after missing time due to injury and suspension respectively.
Wednesday night’s contest is a resumption of the Melbourne Derby that was suspended on December 16 due to a pitch invasion in the 21st minute, with the remaining 69 minutes to be played out at AAMI Park.
The match will resume from that minute, through a drop ball, with reigning premiers and leaders City 1-0 up thanks to Aiden O’Neill’s goal scored before the game was suspended and with the teams at the same ends.
The outcome will have big implications for both teams amid a hugely tight Isuzu UTE A-League table. City, currently a point clear of second-placed Adelaide United, could go five points clear with just four rounds remaining if they clinch a win.
Victory, on the other hand, could close the gap on sixth-place Sydney FC to a single point with a win.
Existing ticket holders were contacted by Ticketek by email and/or SMS from 11am on Friday, with options including redeeming a ticket for the game on Wednesday or a subsequent City or Victory home game this season.
City supporters can click here for more details, and Victory fans click here.
Under the agreed terms of the resumption, both sides can pick any eligible player as three players included on the starting list from the original game are ruled out through injury or transfer.
The scenes in that original game led to Victory receiving a substantial fine and a suspended 10-point deduction, along with other sanctions including restrictions on their active supporters.
A number of fans received lengthy bans from attending football matches, including three for life.
MATCH DETAILS
Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory – City leading 1-0, play to be restarted in the 21st minute
Wednesday, April 5 2023
AAMI Park
Kick-off: 7pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+
MATCH CENTRE | HOW TO WATCH
Team news
Melbourne City
1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES, 36. Kerrin STOKES, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Jordan BOS, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 43. Sebastian ESPOSITO.
In: 36. Kerrin STOKES, 43. Sebastian ESPOSITO.
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hamstring), 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE (calf), 34. Arion SULEMANI (ACL).
Melbourne Victory
1.Matt ACTON, 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Enrique LOPEZ, 4.Rai MARCHAN, 5.Damien DA SILVA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Josh BRILLANTE, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 14.Connor CHAMPMAN, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 18. Bruce KAMAU, 19.Fernando ROMERO, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 23.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 24.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 26.Lleyton BROOKS, 29.Eli ADAMS
In: 19.Fernando ROMERO (returns from suspension), 2.Jason GERIA (promoted)
Out: nil
Unavailable: 17.Luis NANI (injured), 22.Jake BRIMMER (injured), 31.Matt BOZINOVSKI (injured)
