Melbourne Victory will be keen to push right back into the fold with a solid win over Brisbane Roar.
Over the years, the Victory have had the wood over the Roar, winning nine of their 15 meetings, but no encounters between the two in recent times has seen them in this position on the table.
Melbourne find themselves sitting seventh after misfiring in four of their five games whilst the Roar are coasting in third place with a game in hand and yet to concede a goal.
That will be a major talking point ahead of the game, especially as the Roar's keeper is Michael Theoklitos who won two titles with the Victory and is still very much a favourite of the Melbourne faithful.
If this was in Brisbane, you may tip the Roar, but being at AAMI Park - a venue the Victory have failed at in their only appearance there - it gives the out-of-sorts home side a chance.
Verdict: 1-1 draw.
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane RoarDate: Sunday, 12 September 2010 Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne Local kick-off: 3.00pm Head-to-Head: Played 15: Melbourne Victory 9 wins, Brisbane Roar 4 wins (2 draws) Referee: Ryan Shepheard
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sports 3. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3.Mate DUGANDZIC, 5. Surat SUKHA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.RICARDINHO, 11.Marvin ANGULO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 19. Evan BERGER, 20.Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 21.Robbie KRUSE, 23.Adrian LEIJER, 27. Geoff KELLAWAY *4 to be omitted* In: Nil Out: Nil Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (knee), Matthew KEMP (knee)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 10. HENRIQUE, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VICSCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK *three to be omitted* In: 12. Matt MUNDY (promoted), 14. Rocky VISCONTE (promoted), 18. Luke BRATTAN (returns from illness) Out: Nil Unavailable: 5. Ivan FRANJIC (quad strain - 1-2 weeks)
