Melbourne City return to ABD Stadium on Thursday night, hosting Canberra United under lights. Ahead of the clash, we preview the five things we’re looking forward to.
Summer of Football returns to Melbourne
City opened the New Year with three points in Brisbane, defeating the Roar 2-0 at Dolphin Stadium on Thursday 2 January.
In Round 9, Head Coach Rado Vidosic and his team will be eager to continue the winning momentum when they return to ABD Stadium for their first match at home in 2020.
It’s school holidays, it’s midweek football and it’s the summer of football. Don’t miss it as City look to retain top spot with three points at home, get your tickets here!
It’s beginning to heat up
With just six games remaining in the 2019/20 regular season, the race for both a top-four finish and the premiership plate is heating up.
City currently sit three points clear at the top, having played one more game than the Western Sydney Wanderers, who are hot on their heels, just three points behind. With the Wanderers holding a six-goal advantage in the goal difference category, City will be eager to maintain the gap at the top when they host Canberra.
A lot can happen in the next six games, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Second time up
Thursday night’s clash will be the second time this season that the two sides go head-to-head.
Canberra will be the first team City play for the second time, as the team in City blue will be eager to repeat their Round 2 efforts, where they defeated the Green Machine 2-1 in the nation’s capital.
If this season’s form and our previous encounter are anything to go by, we’re set for an intriguing battle between two fierce opponents.
Like a fine wine
Since Aivi Luik returned to the Club at the beginning of the season, she has been nothing short of exceptional.
The 34-year-old who has most recently spent time in Spain with Levante before joining Avaldsnes in Norway has quickly returned to being one of City’s most influential midfielders.
An incredibly hard worker, Luik’s discipline in the heart of midfield is second to none and as she displayed against the Roar, she also has the class and poise to go forward and finish off her hard work with a goal or two.
Back-to-back home games
Following a Round 7 bye and a trip to Brisbane in Round 8, City return to Melbourne where they will host back-to-back home games in front of the City faithful.
Following Thursday night’s clash with Canberra United at ABD Stadium, City will host their first Sunday clash of the season when they take on Newcastle Jets at CB Smith Reserve on Sunday 19 January, kick off 6:00pm. Tickets available here!
With an important stretch of games coming up, two wins on home turf will be vital!
