An epic clash is on the cards in Melbourne between two form teams, and the rare opportunity to play at AAMI Park just adds to what promises to be a massive occasion.
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers Saturday 4 January 2014 AAMI Park, Melbourne Local kick-off: 4.30pm
An epic clash is on the cards in Melbourne between two form teams, and the rare opportunity to play at AAMI Park just adds to what promises to be a massive occasion. It also could be a pivotal encounter with Melbourne able to stamp their authority at the summit with victory, while the Wanderers will suddenly be serious contenders should they escape with all three points. The two sides have met just once with Melbourne earning a 3-1 win on home soil.
The Victory have turned their season around in stunning fashion and remain undefeated since a shattering 5-1 home loss on the opening day of the campaign. Melbourne could even have made five straight wins but for some poor finishing against Sydney FC just before the mid-season break. The Victory have largely been able to field a consistent line-up since early season and the arrival of their trio of imports, have both been key factors in the team-s success.
The Wanderers, like the Victory, can lay claim to being the form side in the competition. After a shocking run with injuries, the Wanderers – boosted by the likes of Heather Garriock and Alanna Kennedy – have turned in two impressive and dominate wins. The Wanderers have named an unchanged squad for this weekend-s trip south which, in itself, is evidence of the club-s changing fortunes after coach Steve Roach was left struggling to complete a full teamsheet earlier in the campaign.
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, 18. Emily Hulbert, 19. Alexandra Natoli 20. Cassandra Dimovski (gk) (two to omitted)
Ins: Beatrice Goad, Emily Hulbert (both promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Tiffany Eliadis (overseas – one week)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Shawna Gordon, 4. Camille Levin, 5. Emily Van Egmond (C), 7. Heather Garriock, 9. Jenna Kingsley, 11. Michelle Carney, 12. Jessica Seaman, 13. Catherine Cannuli, 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Linda O-Neill, 18. Helen Petinos, 22. Dimi Poulos (gk)
Ins: None
Outs: None
Unavailable: Jordan Baker (hip – one week), Tori Huster (knee – three weeks), Servet Uzunlar (quad – two weeks), Kyah Simon (knee – season), Racheal Souter (neck – season)
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