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Joint ladder leaders Melbourne Victory host Perth Glory as the sides play for position and pride in Round 11 of the W-League.

A hat trick from Lisa De Vanna and a goal from Melbourne Victory captain Stephanie Catley made for an enjoyable trip to Newcastle last weekend in their 4-1 win over the Jets.

Perth Glory had a far worse result, losing 5-1 at the hands of an improving Canberra United team, with captain Katie Gill Perth’s lone goalscorer.

It’s hard to go past Lisa De Vanna as one of Melbourne’s best players last week.

The magician managed to score three goals and gifted another to Catley. Strike partner Caitlin Friend had a few chances but was denied by Jets custodian Eliza Campbell.

[More: Caitlin Friend joins Katie Hoyle at Notts County]

The Melbourne midfield continue their good form with Jess Fishlock, Katie Hoyle and Gulcan Koca industriously feeding the ball to De Vanna and Friend.

Tiffany Eliadis made her return to the Victory starting lineup and will persevere in her quest to impress coach Dave Edmondson.

Perth Glory have slumped to second last on the ladder as they struggle with injury and form. Last week did them no favours and left them walking away from McKellar Park licking their wounds.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom though as Glory held Canberra scoreless until late in the first half but they rarely troubled the green machine thereafter. But that’s all in the past.

For the game ahead De Vanna will again be one to watch against her old team. Whilst there may be some sweet memories from those old days, expect De Vanna to challenge Perth’s lack of defensive pace with her phenomenal speed and tricks.

Fishlock is always dangerous and has a predilection for scoring. This will be a prime opportunity to showcase some brilliance, as she did on the last occasion they met, as Perth probably have little to match the genius midfielder.

Melbourne fans will have their first opportunity to welcome back some familiar Victory names into the fold with Maika Ruyter-Hooley and Ella Mastrantonio returning to the club as they prepare for the finals.

Ruyter-Hooley is set to bolster the Victory defence while Mastrantonio provides midfield depth and cover. Meanwhile Melbourne’s other new addition, Lauren Barnes, will play her first home game for Victory in front of the vocal Eureka Brigade.

[More: Ella Mastrantonio becomes latest Melbourne Victory signing]

Coach Dave Edmondson continues to work through different options for the Victory squad. It’s a perfect method to test their depth coming into finals and keeping the opposition guessing about what’s coming their way.

For Perth Glory, the exquisite Katie Gill always has something to offer particularly in the air and Ruyter-Hooley might just be the added height Victory needs to neutralise that threat.

Once again injury has rocked the Perth squad with their top goalscorer Rosie Sutton unavailable for the last two matches of the season.

Marianna Tabain, who is right behind Sutton on the goalscoring sheet for Perth, will be one of the players looked upon to fill her void as will vice captain Elisa D'Ovidio.

That said, they will threaten only if they are on target and making the most of their opportunities against a tight Victory defence.

Defensively Welsh international Carys Hawkins returns to the Glory for the final two games and will be a welcome addition to what has been an understrength, at times inexperienced and overpowered defence.

As the final four has already been decided, Perth Coach Jamie Harnwell now has to work on a solid finish to the season and with only two games remaining, there’s no better time to start.

Last time these two teams met, Melbourne Victory took the points with a 3-1 win in round 3. Back then, Melbourne was still somewhat shaken from their round 1 demolition at the hands of Sydney FC but that’s well behind them now.

Perth Glory were up and down in the early days, and that has been their form all season. Underneath it all, Perth is still a quality team, with a quality coach and players who will bring their all to Kingston Heath this weekend.

Head to Head: Played 10, Melbourne 6, Perth 3, Draw 1

Live on Victory W-League live on www.livecast.com.au from 2.55pm

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory

Saturday 1 February 2014

Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 3pm 

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna Davey (gk) 3. Jessica Humble 4. Katie Hoyle 7. Stephanie Catley (c) 9. Caitlin Friend 10. Jess Fishlock 11. Lisa De Vanna 12. Jessica Samuelsson 13. Tiffany Eliadis 14. Enza Barilla 16. Beattie Goad 17. Gulcan Koca 18. Emily Hulbert 19. Alex Natoli 20. Cassie Dimovski (gk) 22. Lauren Brown (one to be omitted)

Ins: Alex Natoli (returns from injury)

Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Emma Checker (knee – one week)

Perth Glory squad: 1. Chantel JONES (gk), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Cecilie SANDVEJ, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Sasha ANDREWS, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D’OVIDIO, 15. Jess DILLON, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Amy KNIGHTS, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 28. Gabrielle DAL BUSCO (gk), 22. Emily HENDERSON, 28. Carys HAWKINS (one to be omitted)

Ins: Carys Hawkins (Sunnana/Sweden), Emily Henderson (promoted)

Outs: Rosie Sutton (hip - season)

Unavailable: Aivi Luik (hamstring – season), Kat Jukic (hip – season), Collette McCallum (knee – season), Kathleen Waycott (hip – season), Rosie Sutton (hip - season)