Defending premiers Perth Glory host top of the table Melbourne City at Ashfield Reserve in the late Saturday match of Round 2.

Both Glory and City enter the encounter in the Top 4 with City maintaining a perfect record with last week's 2-1 Melbourne Derby win. Meanwhile Perth Glory held on for a 0-0 home draw against the Newcastle Jets.

With both teams missing key Matildas personnel, last round was a test of their squad depth.

For Perth it was a story of their defence with Gabby Dal Busco, Danielle Brogan and Kim Carroll putting in first class performances to deny the Jets and earn a home point.

Worryingly for a Glory side who was so attacking in Season 7, the losses of Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord to international duty meant the attack struggled to get going and provide few threats to the Jets.

City on the other hand faired better without their internationals with young players Beattie Goad and Mariana Tabain and Alex Chidiac stepping to the plate in the absence of Lisa De Vanna and Larissa Crummer.

Meanwhile the midfield stability of Aivi Luik and Amy Jackson held together the team and supported a re-worked defensive line.

This week see the return of and debut of all of Glory and City's internationals; all 558 games of internationals.

Although defending premiers, the Glory enter this match underdogs against W-League favourites Melbourne City.

City ins for this round are intimidating with Seattle Reign duo Jessica Fishlock and Kim Little making their first appearances this season along with newly signed Scottish international Jennifer Beattie - a cumulative 284 internationals of experience.

Then there are the Matildas De Vanna, Catley, Alleway and Crummer, with all seven set to jump right into the starting XI.

If last week was about the defence for Perth Glory, this week will even more so.

That's not to say the Glory aren't without their own weapons with the cutting edge of Foord and Kerr sure to make any defensive line accountable.  However the key will be the midfield and supply.  That is where Nikki Stanton, Katie Holtham and Ella Mastrantonio's contributions will be so key.

It is set up to be a fascinating encounter and it's a pity that a fraction of the possible audience will be able to view this Round 3 clash.

Perth Glory v Melbourne City

Saturday 31 October 2015

Ashfield Reserve, Perth

Local kick-off: 4pm (7pm AEDT)

Head to Head:

Perth Glory squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 3. Kim Carroll, 4. Katie Holtham, 5. Shannon May, 6. Carla Bennett, 7. Nicole Stanton, 8. Shawn Billam, 9. Caitlin Foord, 11. Emily Henderson 12. Katie Schubert, 13. Danielle Brogan, 14. Caitlin Doeglas, 16. Thia Eastman, 18. Gabby Dal Busco (gk), 19. Ella Mastrantonio, 20. Samantha Kerr (C)

Ins: Caitlin Foord, Samantha Kerr, Mackenzie Arnold (all return from Westfield Matildas duty)

Outs: Evangeline Gooch (omitted), Sarah Carroll (toe)

Melbourne City squad: 20. Trudy Burke (gk), 3. Alex Chidiac, 4. Jennifer Beattie, 5. Laura Alleway, 6. Aivi Luik, 7. Stephanie Catley, 8. Kim Little, 9. Larissa Crummer, 10. Jess Fishlock, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 13. Rebekah Stott, 15. Amy Jackson, 16. Beattie Goad, 17. Marianna Tabain, 36. Erin Herd (gk)

Ins: Jennifer Beattie (joins on loan from Manchester City, England), Laura Alleway, Stephanie Catley, Larissa Crummer, Lisa De Vanna (all return from Westfield Matildas duty), Kim Little, Jess Fishlock (both arrive from Seattle Reign, USA)

Outs: Anisa Guajardo, Tyla-Jay Vlanjic, Racheal Quigley, Tessa Sernio, Kelsey Quinn (gk) (all omitted)

Unavailable: Brianna Davey (ankle - 2-4 weeks), Monique Iannella (knee – indefinite)