Credit: Emily Mogic/TheWomensGame Credit: Emily Mogic/TheWomensGame

Ladder leaders Melbourne Victory host Adelaide United in Round 6 of the W-League.

Last week Melbourne Victory had a tough 1-1 draw on the road against Sydney FC. Jessica Fishlock scored late in the match to level the score, but it could easily have been a win were it not for a few centimeters here and there.

In contrast, Adelaide United recorded one of their most significant wins in six seasons, with a stunning 1-0 upset over Brisbane Roar.  Adelaide stuck to their game plan and held strong in defense to take the points and a whole lot of pride from their road trip to Queensland.

Heading in to this Round 6 clash, Victory are looking like one of the top teams in the W-League this season. With an increasingly dependable defense, thoroughbred midfield and dynamic strikers, the only thing missing is the big click for it all to come together in one match.

Victory were possibly unlucky to depart Sydney with only a draw given their superior possession and better chances in front of goal.

With several chances missed by key strikers, a little more polish was needed to really reverse the scoreline from their round one effort against Sydney, Overall though, coach Dave Edmondson should be happy with the progress of the team so far.

Whilst several teams have resorted to double teaming Lisa De Vanna to curtail her impact on the game, this plays right into the hands of the Victory team who have more than one messenger to deliver the goods.

In fact, De Vanna still managed to pull away from Sydney and wreck havoc with her pace and Fishlock is an enigma that no-one has yet mastered.

Fishlock generally devastates the opposition and had some very handy accomplices last week with Jessica Samuelsson, Enza Barilla, Katie Hoyle and Steph Catley all menacing through the midfield and beyond.

Last week, Adelaide United stunned Brisbane Roar in recording their first ever victory over the Queenslanders.

Adelaide were a player up for most of the game after Brisbane’s Laura Alleway was sent off early in the game, but the resolve of Adelaide throughout the match made them deserving winners.

Relatively unknown Lady Reds player, Daniela Di Bartolo, was the heroine of the match. Her late strike putting Adelaide 1-0 up in the second half. W-League Player of the Week, Lisa-Marie Woods, was also in good form and Melissa Barbieri is looking splendid in goals.

For Melbourne Victory to really put this game away, expect top performances from Jessica Fishlock, Lisa De Vanna and Steph Catley.

All three are leaders in their positions and combine well to rattle the opposition. Brianna Davey will be looking for a shutout this round and Caitlin Friend may just be hoping to add another goal or two her tally.

Adelaide United will be looking for strong displays again from Lisa-Marie Woods, Alex Gummer and Kristy Moore. Melissa Barbieri will also be looking to impress back on home turf and the whole team has a point to prove against their former coach Dave Edmondson.

Melbourne Victory have won every encounter against Adelaide United to this point and it would be a brave punter to suggest that anything would change this time around. When they last met in Round 2 this season, Melbourne ran out winners with a 2-0 scoreline, although in all honesty, it was a closer match than the score indicated.

 Head to Head: Played 9, Melbourne 9, Adelaide 0

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United

Saturday 21 December 2013

Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 3pm

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: Cindy Lay (promoted)

Outs: None

Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Emily Hulbert (glandular fever – 1-2 weeks), Tiffany Eliadis (overseas - 3 weeks)

Adelaide United squad: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 3. Alexandra GUMMER, 4. Tegan RIDING, 5. Jessie WHAREPOURI, 6. Laura STOCKDALE, 7. Rachael QUIGLEY, 9. Lisa-Marie WOODS, 12. Daila TAIS-BORG, 14. Jayah BROWN, 15. Jenna McCORMICK, 17. Tiarn POWELL, 19. Daniela DI BARTOLO, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk), 21. Snez VELJANOVSKA 23. Kristy MOORE (C)

Unavailable: 2. Bianca GRAY (knee - 12 months)