Both these sides have endured disappointingly inconsistent seasons, although the one thing that’s been ongoing has been the fact they’ve managed draws against each other.
Date: Saturday, March 10
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Head-to-head
Played 23: Wins: Sydney FC 5, Melbourne Victory 7, Draws: 11
Previous encounter
Melbourne Victory 2, Sydney 2, January 26, 2012
History:
For two of the biggest rivals in the Hyundai A-League, they’ve certainly played plenty of draws. In fact, in six of the last seven matches between these two sides, the points have been shared, with the only win taking place back in October 2010 when Victory earned a 3-0 result over the Sky Blues.
This season saw the two sides play out a 0-0 draw in the opening match of the campaign, while the recent Australia Day clash ended in a 2-2 result.
Form:
Past five matches:
Sydney FC: LWWLD
Melbourne Victory: DWLDL
Both sides have produced some terribly inconsistent form throughout this campaign. Consecutive wins over Perth Glory and Adelaide gave Sky Blues’ fans hopes that the tide may have turned, but that’s been followed up by a loss to Wellington and an unfortunate draw with Central Coast.
Last week, Sydney looked all-but certain to take home the points against the Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium, but the league leaders produced a last-gasp goal through Troy Hearfield that may just have been the death knell for Sydney’s chances of making the play-offs.
For Victory, the fact they’ve only achieved one win since Jim Magilton took over from Mehmet Durakovic speaks volumes for this side. In those nine games, they’ve only lost three, but last week’s 3-1 defeat to Newcastle pretty much ended the club’s finals hopes.
Victory are now eight points adrift of the top six with three games remaining, needing three wins and for Newcastle (sixth) and Sydney (seventh) to virtually lose all their remaining games. It’s a near impossible task meaning Victory are probably playing for pride over the last three games.
Match Committee:
Not too much to report from the Sydney camp as Vitezslav Lavicka has virtually a full side to select from barring striker Mark Bridge. Bridge has missed the last few games with an ankle complaint and this week’s game may just be too soon for his return.
It’s the opposite situation at Victory, as Magilton deals with injuries and suspensions. Skipper Adrian Leijerwill miss the rest of the season with his hip issue, while Fabio (groin) is also absent.
The coach also has to deal with Carlos Hernandez missing after his dismissal last week, while defender Matthew Kemp is serving a one-match club-imposed ban after abusing the coach when being brought off the ground last week.
Danger men:
Joel Chianese may not have known too much about it, but he delivered the opening goal in last week’s 1-1 draw with Central Coast.
Harry Kewell was both the winner and loser last weekend against the Jets, initially scoring a penalty before missing one just before half-time. In fairness to Kewell, Jets stopper Ben Kennedy had almost saved the first penalty, so Kewell opted to send the stopper the wrong way and only just missed the corner of the goal.
At the end of the day…
Both these sides have endured disappointingly inconsistent seasons, although the one thing that’s been ongoing has been the fact they’ve managed draws against each other.
This is probably not so surprising, as they both have quality forward divisions that are capable of creating goals to go with creaky defences that are more than willing to concede such opportunities.
In this case, though, Sydney are probably a more realistic chance of making the finals and will have been given the pep talk to do it for their departing coach over the last few rounds.
Added to this, CEO Dirk Melton was also sacked during the week and maybe, some of the players in the squad will also be looking to impress the new administration in order to secure their futures. Either way, Sydney have more going for them and a Sky Blues win seems most likely. That is if they don’t just draw it.
