John Aloisi can pile the pressure on his former club when the league-leading Brisbane Roar host an under-fire Melbourne City as Friday night football comes to Suncorp.
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MATCH DETAILS
Friday, 20 November 2015
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 7:00 PM (Local) (8:00 PM (AEDT))
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Nathan MacDonald
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Alex King
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.30pm (AEDT), SBS TWO from 7:30pm AEDT and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 612 ABC Brisbane, 774 ABC Melbourne, ABC Local Radio Qld, ABC Local Radio Vic, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live. Crocmedia A-League Live (www.facebook.com/A-leagueLIVERadio)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #BRIvMCY
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 6.Jerome POLENZ, 7.CORONA, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.HENRIQUE, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Daniel BOWLES, 15.James DONACHIE, 16.Devante CLUT, 17.Matt McKAY, 18.Javier HERVAS, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 36.Andre JANNESE (gk)
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Jerome POLENZ (promoted), 9.Jamie MACLAREN (return from international duty), 17.Matt McKAY (return from international duty)
Outs: 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO (omitted)
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (gk) (quad strain, 2 week), 12.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (hamstring strain, 2 weeks), 33.Luke DE VERE (quad, 4 weeks).
Melbourne City squad: 1.Thomas SORENSEN (GK), 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Erik PAARTALU, 7.Corey GAMEIRO, 8.Aaron MOOY, 9.Harry NOVILLO, 15.David WILLIAMS, 16.Jason TRIFIRO, 18.Paulo RETRE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Tando VELAPHI (GK), 21.Stefan MAUK, 22.Jack CLISBY, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI, 25.Jacob MELLING, 30.Hernan ESPINDOLA, 34.Stefan ZINNI
Ins: 5.Ivan FRANJIC (returns from injury), 8.Aaron MOOY (returns from International duty), 15.David WILLIAMS (returns from injury)
Outs: 3.Aaron HUGHES (calf – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 10.Robert KOREN (calf – 3 weeks), 14.James BROWN (foot – indefinite), 24.Patrick KISNORBO (calf 2 weeks), 26.Marc MARINO (knee – 2 months)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Melbourne City are in desperate need of a result after the crushing disappointment of last weekend’s 3-0 home loss to Western Sydney Wanderers.
That result marked a third defeat in six for John van’t Schip’s side, leaving the title hopefuls three points adrift of the top six ahead of one of the competition’s most daunting trips.
The return of talisman Aaron Mooy means Brisbane’s proactive midfield won’t entirely be devoid of defensive responsibility but does little to patch up City’s own leaky rearguard (though Socceroo Ivan Franjic could return, according to JVS).
Brisbane are more than capable of exploiting those inadequacies as they seek to cement top spot.
Jamie Maclaren and captain Matt McKay both return to a squad which did enough to see off Perth Glory last Sunday for a fourth win in six.
In a clash of two teams who many predicted would be occupying reverse roles at this stage of the season, the visitors will need to fight to prevent John Aloisi from punishing his former employers.
OPTA DATA
– Brisbane is looking to keep four consecutive clean sheets in the Hyundai A-League for the first time since September 2010.
– City won all three of their encounters with Brisbane Roar last season, only conceding one goal.
– Henrique has scored four goals in his seven Hyundai A-League appearances against Melbourne City/Heart.
ROUTE TO GOAL
Jamie Maclaren is expected to resume his role as the focal point of a potent Brisbane attack after missing last week’s match due to Olyroos duty.
Fan favourite “Aussie” Henrique instead provided the spark – and goal – on his return from a lengthy knee injury. The Brazilian will be called upon regularly from the bench as experienced depth.
Spanish recruit Javier Hervas appears to be a productive new supplier for the front three having cleverly assisted Henrique’s winner on debut.
City will again look to five-goal forward Bruno Fornaroli to trouble Roar with his smarts around goal and the Uruguayan will be glad to link with Mooy once more.
Harry Novillo’s ability to complete 90 minutes could equally be the difference in the away side’s hopes of securing a result, while former Roar fullback Ivan Franjic could provide punch from deep.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Jamie Young earned selection in a-league.com.au’s Team of the Week last round for keeping a third straight clean sheet. The Brisbane-born goalkeeper continues to establish his place as Roar’s number one in Michael Theo’s ongoing injury concerns.
FORM LINES
Brisbane Roar: WWLWDW
Melbourne City: DLWLWL
PREDICTION
Brisbane Roar 3-1 Melbourne City
