Sydney FC return to W-league action | Credit: Emily Mogic Sydney FC return to W-league action | Credit: Emily Mogic

In a re-match of their Round 1 clash, Sydney FC return home and to the W-League hosting the Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium in the first ever Fox Sports broadcast of the W-League.

Last weekend saw a bold performance from Melbourne Victory at home as they demolished the Newcastle Jets and setting a new club record with a 6-0 win.

A very different build-up for Sydney FC as they return from a two week stint in Japan competing in the Mobcast Cup International Women’s Club Championship (IWCC). The Sky Blues placed third in the competition after a narrow 4-2 win on penalties against the South American champions Colo-Colo.

Sydney FC are in interesting form coming off a world club championship where the standard of play was high and the sky blue outfit were pushed to their limits.

Sydney FC opened the tournament with a narrow 1-0 win over Nadeshiko league runners-up NTV Beleza before a 3-2 semi-final loss to English FA WSL club, Chelsea Ladies FC. The Sky Blues began to show a pattern of inconsistency as the games wore on, with a last ditch 2 goal comeback against Chelsea contrasting to their conceding of two late goals against Colo-Colo.

Consistency is seemingly no issue for Melbourne Victory. The addition of Welsh international Jessica Fishlock has made all the difference for Victory providing a much-needed midfield anchor controlling more possession and delivering solid passes for the forward line. What makes Fishlock particularly threatening is her technique in shooting from distance with dropping keeper-beating balls.

The much-anticipated return of Ash Brown from ACL injury was marred by the 2011/12 Young Player of the Year sustaining a horrific repeat ACL tear towards the end of the match and ending her season. Brown’s loss is a blow to the depth of the Melbourne Victory squad, but will also resonate psychologically through a team that has been so focused and committed to building their football style over the last two seasons. 

Key player’s to look for in Melbourne Victory include Caitlin Friend who notched a hat-trick last week and is currently leading the race for the W-League golden boot. Enza Barilla bagged a brace against the Jets and will be keen to pair up further with Turkish international Gulcan Koca for more dazzling displays of triangles. Cassandra Dimovksi has been highly effective in goals with a good reading of the game evident as she minds the gloves for the injured Brianna Davey.

Sydney FC’s Nicola Bolger has a strong record against Victory and has kicked off one of her strongest seasons to date and will be looking to make an impact early.

The attack pairing of Jodie Taylor and Emma Kete is starting to warm-up and the two have hardly gone a game without a goal. The addition of New Zealand international Anna Green in the defensive backline has strengthened the already strong group including Alesha Clifford, Renee Rollason and Caitlin Foord, who is back playing from a quad strain.

In Round 1 Melbourne Victory were surprisingly outplayed all over the park by the Sydney FC with a heavy 5-1 loss the final result. Expect a much more even scoreline the second time around as Melbourne Victory are bolstered by the inclusion of Fishlock and will be determined to reverse the result.

Victory scored 6 goals last week from 3 different players notably none with the name “Lisa DeVanna”. So a tactical focus of marking De Vanna out of the game is now unlikely to be successful with such an improved attacking midfield showing.

Sydney FC are coming off 3 international-level games played in quick succession which will either make them razor sharp or weigh heavily on tired legs. What can be counted on is that Melbourne Victory will be ready and raring to get their revenge on Sydney FC this weekend.

Head to Head: Played 9, Sydney 6, Melbourne 1, Draw 2

Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory

Sunday 15 December 2013

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Local kick-off: 2.15pm

** Catch all the action live from 2pm (AEDT) on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 1HD.

Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont (gk), Liz Ralston, Anna Green, Alesha Clifford, Ellyse Perry, Amy Harrison, Caitlin Foord, Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Renee Rollason, Sam Kerr, Jodie Taylor, Emma Kete, Trudy Camilleri, Natalie Tobin, Sham Khamis, Chloe Logarzo (two to be omitted)

Ins: Caitlin Foord (returns from injury), Natalie Tobin (promoted), Anna Green (new signing)

Outs: Leena Khamis (injured – one week)

Unavailable: Danielle Brogan (Calf – 5 weeks)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna Davey (gk) 3. Jessica Humble 4. Katie Hoyle 5. Laura Spiranovic 6. Cindy Lay 7. Stephanie Catley (c) 9. Caitlin Friend 10. Jessica Fishlock 11. Lisa De Vanna 12. Jessica Samuelsson 14. Enza Barilla 15. Emma Checker 16. Beatrice Goad, 17. Gulcan Koca 19. Alexandra Natoli 20. Cassandra Dimovski (gk) (one to omitted)

Ins: Brianna Davey (returns from injury), Beatrice Goad (promoted), Cindy Lay (promoted)

Outs: Ashley Brown (knee), Melissa Maizels (omitted - injury replacement)

Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Emily Hulbert (glandular fever – 1-2 weeks), Tiffany Eliadis (overseas)