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A-League Preview: Melbourne Victory - Gold Coast United

It's a depleted United outfit that travel to anything but a fortress to face the defending champions.

Nov 27, 2009 8:28:28 AM

Carlos Hernandez, Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory (Getty Images)

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Carlos Hernandez, Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory (Getty Images)

Teams

Saturday, 28 November, 19:00 AEDT
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
A-League, Round 16

Two victories from eight games at home and sixteen goals conceded tells its own story for the Melbourne Victory, who have climbed to the top of the A-League ladder thanks to their five wins from six matches on the road.

The five goals conceded away from Etihad and the sixteen conceded whilst playing at home are an indicator of the inconsistency that has plagued the defending champions, most obviously at the back.

Despite his influence, talisman Kevin Muscat is noticeably ageing – as he has been for some time – at the heart of the Victory defence, where a general absence of organization has seen them lose 3-0 and 4-0 at home this season to Sydney FC and the unfancied Central Coast Mariners respectively.

It gives hope to a Gold Coast United side who will need every advantage, hoodoo and superstition possible to come away from Docklands with a positive result, given that manager Miron Bleiberg has only twelve first-team players to choose from this weekend.

Suspension and injury have decimated an expensively assembled squad, with the onus now falling on the likes of Socceroo midfielder Jason Culina and star striker Shane Smeltz to perform.

It’s a game that could see the Victory finally pull away from the chasing pack - assuming Sydney FC stumble at home against the Newcastle Jets – which would be a first during what has been an incredibly tight season, particularly at the top of the table.

FORM GUIDE

Melbourne Victory

Oct 18. Newcastle Jets 1-3 Melbourne Victory
Oct 24. Melbourne Victory 3-1 Adelaide United
Nov 1. Perth Glory 1-2 Melbourne Victory
Nov 7. Melbourne Victory 0-4 Central Coast Mariners
Nov 21. Brisbane Roar 0-1 Melbourne Victory

Gold Coast United

Oct 18. Gold Coast United 2-1 Perth Glory
Oct 25. Wellington Phoenix 6-0 Gold Coast United
Oct 31. Gold Coast United 0-2 North Queensland Fury
Nov 7. Gold Coast United 1-0 Sydney FC
Nov 20. Adelaide United 1-1 Gold Coast United

TEAM NEWS

Melbourne Victory

In: Matthew Foschini (promoted), Surat Sukha (return from injury), Ney Fabiano (promoted), Nathan Elasi (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Marvin Angulo (pending registration), Billy Celeski (knee, season), Steven Pace (calf, 1 week), Tom Pondeljak (calf, 1 week)

Possible Starting XI (3-4-3): Langerak, Leijer, Muscat, Vargas, Kemp, Brebner, Ward, Sukha, Hernandez, Thompson, Kruse

Gold Coast United

In: Andrew Barisic (promoted), Steven Lustica (promoted), Golgol Mebrahtu (promoted), Jerrad Tyson [gk] (promoted), Ben Wearing (promoted), Steven Topalovic (promoted)
Out: Jess Vanstrattan (gk) (thumb injury – 1 week), Bas Van den Brink (suspended – 1 week), Kristian Rees (suspended – 1 week).
Unavailable: Steve Pantelidis (suspended – 1 week), Daniel Piorkowski (ankle injury – indefinite), Robson (knee injury – 6 weeks), Jefferson (knee injury – indefinite), Adama Troare (knee injury – 2 weeks)

Possible Starting XI (4-2-2-2): Higgins, Anderson, Thwaite, Zac Anderson, Fitzsimmons, Culina, Caravella, Osman, Minniecon, Smeltz, Porter

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)

The Socceroo who was a bolter in the squad that went to the 2006 World Cup will now need to push hard to convince Pim Verbeek of his worth, just over six months out from South Africa. Has been in the international wilderness somewhat – like most A-League players – and only ended it in disastrous fashion, part of the team that suffered a 1-0 loss to Kuwait in an Asian Cup Qualifier earlier this year. Has the ability – but does he have the mental strength?

Jason Culina (Gold Coast United)

Really needs to step up this weekend and take on more of an attacking burden, with Bleiberg’s options restricted. It will have to be a captain’s knock if United are to walk away from Etihad unscathed and Culina’s intelligence on the pitch will go a long way to helping out. His range of passing is much more dangerous and helpful to his side in the final third of the pitch than in front of his own back four.

Prediction

The Victory have an abysmal home record and defensively they’ve been a shambles this season. Expect Shane Smeltz and Joel Porter to run riot but it’ll only be good enough for a draw, given their own lack of depth this weekend.

Melbourne Victory 2-2 Gold Coast United

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com

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