Played
February 16, 2013 7:45 PM EST
AAMI Park — Melbourne
Referee:‬ P. Green‎
Attendance:‬ 21638‎
 
75′ Connor Pain
Jacopo La Rocca 11′
 
Shinji Ono 72′

A-League preview: Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers

Victory coughed up second spot on the A-League table to the Wanderers last week, who venture to Melbourne for the first time ever on Saturday

More On :  Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne Victory vs Western Sydney Wanderers
A-League - Western Sydney Wanderers - Shinji Ono
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  PROBABLE LINEUP

MELBOURNE VICTORY

Coe
Ferreira, Mullen, Leijer, Galloway
Broxham, Milligan, Celeski
Rojas, Flores, Nabbout

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

Covic
Polenz, T-Stanley, Beauchamp, D'Apuzzo
Ono, Poljak, Mooy
Hersi, Kresinger, Bridge
The finals have come early in this clash between two sides with genuine designs on finishing with the A-League's Premiers Plate.

While the league-leading Mariners have a four-point buffer from Western Sydney, Victory are only two points further back in third and will come right back into contention with a win here.

Victory were leapfrogged by Tony Popovic's side last weekend as a result of their 1-0 loss to Adelaide United on Friday.

It was not just the defeat that hurt Ange Postecoglou, with Archie Thompson picking up a hamstring injury while left-back Adama Traore was harshly sent off and will serve a one-game ban.

There was some good news for the club, with former Adelaide defender Daniel Mullen signing with the Victory for the rest of the season.

They will also welcome back Mark Milligan from international duty, with Diogo Ferreira and Andrew Nabbout likely to join them in changes to the starting XI.

It has been nothing but blue skies for the Wanderers, however,, with last Saturday's 2-1 over Newcastle their fifth in succession.

They should also be bolstered this week by the return of captain Michael Beauchamp from injury.

Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic returns to Melbourne for the first time since he was dumped by Victory at the end of last season.

The clubs have met twice already this season, with one win apiece, including a 2-1 Wanderers victory on New Year's Day.

The Wanderers may be on the best run of form of any team this season but this clash, the club's first-ever in Melbourne, looms as their toughest challenge yet.

Victory have not lost at home since the opening week of the season and they always seem to find something extra with their vocal support behind them.

But the Wanderers have shown they are made of stern stuff, particularly at the back, and that might be enough to ensure they escape Melbourne with a point.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Melbourne Victory 0-2 Western Sydney Wanderers
    28.57 %
  • Melbourne Victory 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
    28.57 %
  • Melbourne Victory 4-4 Western Sydney Wanderers
    14.29 %
Head to Head
Australia - A-League ‎(AUS1)‎ 16/02/2013 Melbourne Victory 1 - Western Sydney Wanderers 2
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  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Australia - A-League ‎(AUS1)‎ 01/01/2013 Western Sydney Wanderers 2 - Melbourne Victory 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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Australia - A-League ‎(AUS1)‎ 24/11/2012 Western Sydney Wanderers 0 - Melbourne Victory 2
  • Player Ratings
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Last Five Matches
Melbourne Victory
14/04/2013Central Coast Mariners 1 - Melbourne Victory 0AUS1
05/04/2013Melbourne Victory 2 - Perth Glory 1AUS1
31/03/2013Wellington Phoenix 2 - Melbourne Victory 3AUS1
23/03/2013Melbourne Victory 2 - Perth Glory 3AUS1
16/03/2013Sydney FC 1 - Melbourne Victory 1AUS1
Western Sydney Wanderers
21/04/2013Western Sydney Wanderers 0 - Central Coast Mariners 2AUS1
12/04/2013Western Sydney Wanderers 2 - Brisbane Roar 0AUS1
29/03/2013Newcastle Jets 0 - Western Sydney Wanderers 3AUS1
23/03/2013Western Sydney Wanderers 1 - Sydney FC 1AUS1
16/03/2013Melbourne Heart 1 - Western Sydney Wanderers 3AUS1
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
12Nathan CoeGoalkeeper
-Mark Daniel MilliganDefender
23Adrian LeijerDefender
-Scott GallowayDefender
16Daniel MullenDefender
6Leigh BroxhamMidfielder
10Marcos FloresMidfielder
11Marco RojasMidfielder
13AlexDefender
14Blagoja CeleskiMidfielder
-Andrew NabboutMidfielder
1Tando VelaphiGoalkeeper
-Connor PainDefender
-Jonathan BruMidfielder
17James JeggoMidfielder
-Francesco StellaMidfielder
-Ante CovicGoalkeeper
3Adam GriffithsDefender
6Nikolai Topor-StanleyDefender
-Michael BeauchampDefender
20Jerome PolenzDefender
-Jacopo La RoccaDefender
-Mateo PoljakMidfielder
17Youssouf HersiMidfielder
-Shinji OnoMidfielder
-Dino KresingerStriker
19Mark BridgeStriker
-Jerrad TysonGoalkeeper
12Shannon ColeDefender
8Aaron MooyMidfielder
25Labinot HalitiStriker
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Daniel McBreen Daniel McBreen
Striker
Central Coast Mariners 		19 4
Jeremy Brockie Jeremy Brockie
Striker
Toronto FC 		16 2
Marco Rojas Marco Rojas
Midfielder
Melbourne Victory 		15 0
Alessandro Del Piero Alessandro Del Piero
Striker
Sydney FC 		14 4
Besart Berisha Besart Berisha
Striker
Brisbane 		14 4