This match, featuring two of the competition’s form teams, has taken on extra importance with Adelaide United phoenix-like rise this season.
Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Saturday 21 December 2013
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 3pm
This match, featuring two of the competition-s form teams, has taken on extra importance with Adelaide United phoenix-like rise this season. United, could astonishingly enough, take top spot if they win at in-form Victory. The pair met barely a month ago with the Victory 2-0 winners in a hard-fought contest in Adelaide.
Melbourne have bounced back impressively since that opening day humiliation at the hands of a rampant Sydney FC. They have since won three on the trot and, but for some poor finishing last weekend against the same opponent, they could easily have made it four. The experience and drive of Welsh captain Jess Fishlock in the centre of the park has found a perfect foil in New Zealand defensive midfielder Katie Hoyle, while Lisa De Vanna remains an ever-present danger .
After so many seasons of disappointment, United will feel they have overcome a psychological hurdle with last weekend-s astonishing win over two-time champions Brisbane Roar. Adelaide are playing with intensity and belief, making their trip to Melbourne a potentially classic encounter. The ability of Adelaide to maintain their recent form will be a pointer to exactly how far they have come under the new direction of coach Ross Aloisi.
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna Davey (gk) 3. Jessica Humble 4. Katie Hoyle 5. Laura Spiranovic 6. Cindy Lay 7. Stephanie Catley (c) 9. Caitlin Friend 10. Jessica Fishlock 11. Lisa De Vanna 12. Jessica Samuelsson 14. Enza Barilla 15. Emma Checker 16. Beatrice Goad, 17. Gulcan Koca 19. Alexandra Natoli 20. Cassandra Dimovski (gk) (one to omitted)
Ins: Cindy Lay (promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Emily Hulbert (glandular fever – 1-2 weeks), Tiffany Eliadis (overseas – 3 weeks)
Adelaide United squad: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 3. Alexandra GUMMER, 4. Tegan RIDING, 5. Jessie WHAREPOURI, 6. Laura STOCKDALE, 7. Rachael QUIGLEY, 9. Lisa-Marie WOODS, 12. Daila TAIS-BORG, 14. Jayah BROWN, 15. Jenna McCORMICK, 17. Tiarn POWELL, 19. Daniela DI BARTOLO, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk), 21. Snez VELJANOVSKA 23. Kristy MOORE (C)
Ins: None
Outs: None
Unavailable: 2. Bianca GRAY (knee – 12 months)
Join the conversation on Twitter using #wleague
