Melbourne City FC will look to continue its rise up the Hyundai A-League table with a win against Perth Glory on Saturday night. We take an in-depth look at Kenny Lowe’s side in our latest Scout Report.
Perth a different proposition at nib Stadium.
After a testing opening to the campaign, a rejuvenated Perth Glory side have begun to show signs of a recovery with a vastly improved run of form.
Despite winning only two out of the past seven matches, Kenny Lowe’s side have made nib Stadium a difficult place for opposition sides to visit, claiming 11 points from their last six home fixtures.
That record is complimented by a formidable run of form against Melbourne City in Western Australia. The Glory is undefeated in their last five Hyundai A-League home games against John van’t Schip’s side, keeping four clean sheets and conceding only one goal in that period.
Perth have shown their ability to match it with the top sides at home after beating Melbourne Victory and earning a draw against Western Sydney Wanderers, but will face a City side brimming with confidence after an emphatic 5-1 win against the Glory earlier in the season.
Head Coach Lowe will be hoping that dead-ball specialist Nebojsa Marinkovic recovers from a hamstring injury in time for Saturday’s clash against City.
But key defender Michael Thwaite is in doubt with a thigh injury, while centre-back Alex Grant will serve a one match suspension after a his red card against Adelaide last week.
The return of Keogh a boost in attack.
In a welcome boost to an attack which has only scored 15 times in the opening 14 matches, talismanic striker Andy Keogh could be the spark that ignites the Glory’s season.
The 29-year-old was a constant threat in his return to the side during the 3-1 defeat to Adelaide United, with Head Coach Kenny Lowe praising the Irishman’s contribution against the Reds as “super”.
A hard working and aggressive striker, Keogh was the club’s top scorer last season with 12 goals and will be keen to replicate his form in the second-half of the campaign, as Perth looks to continue its late charge towards the Hyundai A-League Finals.
Castro bringing a Spanish flair to the final third.
A key component of Perth’s recent revival has been marquee man Diego Castro, who has made a seamless transition to Australian football in his debut Hyundai A-League campaign.
The diminutive Spaniard has been the focal point of the Glory attack, netting three goals in his last five matches- including a memorable late winner in the 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory – and creating a total of 21 chances in attack.
A veteran of the Spanish La Liga with successful spells at Getafe and Sporting Gijon, Castro has excelled in a variety of roles in the final-third this season and his partnership with returning striker Andy Keogh has the potential to be a dangerous threat for opposition defences.
Last Time We Met
Melbourne City FC 5-1 Perth Glory – Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Round 8, AAMI Park.
John van’t Schip’s side produced an attacking masterclass during a dominant first half display, racing to a 3-0 lead courtesy of goals to Erik Paartalu, Connor Chapman and Bruno Fornaroli.
Perth reduced the deficit when former Glory man Sidnei Sciola nodded home a header at the near post on the stroke of half-time, but a second-half strike to Harry Novillo and a penalty to Aaron Mooy fired City to its second home win of the campaign.
Socceroos midfielder Mooy was at his damaging best for the home-side, having a hand in each of City’s other four goals as he controlled the midfield throughout the duration of the contest.
Stat Pack
- Perth Glory is undefeated in their last five Hyundai A-League home games against Melbourne City, conceding only one goal in that span (four clean sheets).
- Melbourne City’s last away Hyundai A-League fixture ended in loss (3-1) to Brisbane, they’ve not conceded consecutive away losses since being bundled out of the finals last season.
- Glory’s Richard Garcia (46) has been involved in more aerial duels than any other player this Hyundai A-League season, seven more than next best Sydney’s Filip Holosko (39).
- There have been 10 goals scored in the last two Hyundai A-League meetings between these sides, one more goal than in the five games prior.
