The Wanderers have the chance to reclaim top spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder with a win or draw extending their unbeaten run to 11 matches.
Historically there’s goals to be had in this fixture – in the past there’s been score lines of 3-2 (twice) and 3-1 , and the Wanderers boast a very good record at AAMI Park. They’ve won five of their last at the venue, scored 11 goals on the road and lost just once against Melbourne City in ten fixtures.
Team news
New signing Liam Reddy is included in the squad for the first time whilst Wanderers keeper Dean Bouzanis joined the Citizens earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Scott Neville’s suspension sees Jonathan Aspropotamitis promoted.
All eyes are on the fitness of City talisman and Wanderers foundation player Aaron Mooy who was reported earlier in the week as likely to miss to the match with broken ribs, but has since been included in the squad. Mooy netted on both reunions last season making him the first Wanderers player to score both for and against the Red & Black, followed by Mitch Nichols and Dario Vidosic this season.
Brendon Santalab is an injury doubt for the Wanderers.
Check the full team news for both clubs here.
Melbourne City
Capable of both the utterly sublime and the frankly ridiculous, City, Heart – whatever you want to call them – have been stunted by a manic level of inconsistency during their Hyundai A-League tenure. But in more recent times John van’t Schip’s side have done their best to shake off their reputation as the competition’s Jekyll and Hyde franchise.
Capitalising on the stuttering form of their Melbourne neighbours and Sydney FC, City has won four of their last six to shoot into finals contention. And although they’re the league’s top scorers by some distance (32 – Brisbane are second with 22, Wanderers third with 20), their recent improvement can be attributed to a more balanced and tactically disciplined approach.
Former Premier League journeyman Thomas Sorensen has settled in after a tricky start and made a vital contribution between the sticks whilst van’t Schip has two of the league’s most elite at his disposal in Bruno Fornaroli and Harry Novillo. The golden boot front runner Fornaroli and the menacing Novillo are the central goal threat for a side that doesn’t find goals hard to come by.
Against their old club
Andrew Redmayne (48 appearances)
Golgol Mebrahtu (26 appearances)
Aaron Mooy (49 appearances)
Steve Kuzmanovski (8 appearances)
Jason Trifiro (36 appearances)
Dean Bouzanis (6 appearances)
How to watch
If you’re not making the long trip down the Hume Highway you can catch the game live on Fox Sports 505 at 7.30pm AEST or listen live on 702 ABC Sydney & ABC Local Radio NSW, Grandstand Digital & Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-League Live.
