The Western Sydney Wanderers will look to bounce back from their recent setback as they face an in-form Melbourne Victory side on Sunday at the Home of the Matildas in a crucial Ninja A-League encounter.
Melbourne Victory head into this fixture on a six-match unbeaten streak in the Ninja A-League, with their last victory being a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
With 17 points from eight matches, they sit in third place, just four points adrift of league leaders Melbourne City.
The Victory have found their stride in recent weeks, boasting a solid record of four wins and two draws in their last six matches, and will be looking to continue their charge towards the top of the table.
The Wanderers, however, are coming off a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
The loss leaves them in 11th place on just five points, with the need for a strong response in this fixture.
With one win, one draw, and four losses in their last six outings, the Wanderers will need to be at their best to overcome a tough opponent on the road.
The last meeting between these two sides was a dominant 4-0 victory for Melbourne Victory at the Home of the Matildas last season. McKenzie Weinert opened the scoring for the hosts in the 20th minute, going on to net a brace, while Emily Gielnik added two more to seal the comprehensive win.
Gielnik has been in scintillating form this season, currently leading the Victory with six goals—tied for the most in the league. Her knack for scoring vital goals, including two match-opening strikes, makes her a player to watch for the Wanderers’ defense.
For the Wanderers, all eyes will be on attacking midfielder Sienna Saveska. With four goals to her name this season, including one match-opening goal, Saveska has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign for the Wanderers.
She is currently tied for fifth in the league’s top scorers list and will be crucial if the Wanderers are to make an impact in this match.
