The clash
Melbourne City will be looking to make it four wins on the trot when they take on Melbourne Victory at Epping Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
City opened the New Year with a 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at ANZ Stadium on New Year’s Day.
Georgia Yeoman-Dale opened the scoring for the hosts, beating Lydia Williams from range, before Tameka Butt hit back before half-time with a perfect chip to level the scores.
City pushed to find a winner in the second-half and were eventually rewarded through second-half substitute Adriana Jones. Rhali Dobson’s intelligent flick was met by Jones, who rounded the keeper before finding the back of the net with nine minutes of regulation time to play.
Head Coach Rado Vidosic and his side will be eager to continue their march up the league ladder, but the task won’t be easy, facing table-toppers Melbourne Victory at home.
Jeff Hopkins’ side is coming off a 2-1 win over Perth Glory at AAMI Park in Round 9. Victory captain Natasha Dowie opened the scoring in the 35th minute, before doubling the hosts lead in the 83rd minute. Rachel Hill hit back in the 90th minute after she linked up with Sam Kerr on the counter, but it proved to be merely a consolation goal as the hosts finished with the three-points.
With both sides desperate to secure a final position, we are set for a thriller at Epping Stadium.
Team news
Head Coach Rado Vidosic has made three changes to the extended squad ahead of the clash. Full team news here.
Last time they met
Last time the two teams met was in Round 3, as Victory defeated City 2-0 at AAMI Park.
Victory took the lead on the half-hour mark as the ball deflected off Elise Kellond-Knight and into the back of her own net. Matildas attacker Emily Gielnik sealed the points with a strike in the 65th minute.
What was said
Melbourne City FC Head Coach Rado Vidosic
“[Winning momentum] is very important. You get a lot of confidence, you start believing in everything that you are doing and that’s really important.
“Although we didn’t play that well against Western Sydney Wanderers, we always knew that we could score that second goal and get our noses in front and that’s where that winning mentality helps you.”
Where and when
City take on Melbourne Victory at Epping Stadium on Saturday 5 January, kick-off 4:00pm, before hosting Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Friday, 11 January, kick-off 5:20pm.
