Credit: Emily Mogic Credit: Emily Mogic

This round 7 clash between Melbourne Victory and the Western Sydney Wanderers brings together two of the form teams of the competition.

Currently placed first and fifth on the ladder respectively, both teams have imposing lineups and this should be an exciting encounter. The match will be played as a curtain raiser, or the main match depending on your preference, for the Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar A-League rendezvous at AAMI Park.

Prior to the christmas break Melbourne Victory continued their winning streak grinding out a 1-0 conquest of Adelaide United. Victory haven’t lost since that embarrassing 5-1 defeat at the hands of Sydney FC in round 1.

Meanwhile, the Western Sydney Wanderers were showcasing some impressive skills, with a 3-0 triumph against an improving Newcastle Jets squad in round 6.

Melbourne Victory’s last match against a gallant Adelaide United team was both frustrating and satisfying.

Victory were held to an empty scoreline until the 80th minute when Lisa De Vanna neatly finished a cross from Gulcan Koca. The lone score of the match belied the attacking nature of the game, with Melbourne threatening throughout via the likes of Jessica Fishlock, Jessica Samuelsson, De Vanna and Caitlin Friend.

For the Wanderers, Linda O’Neill was stellar throughout the match against the Jets, whilst Catherine Canulli proved to be quite a threat in front of goals scoring a brace. The sweltering conditions are unlikely to be repeated for this Melbourne clash which will be a pleasant respite for both teams.

Leading into this match, the Victory squad appear to be full of confidence and it will be interesting to see if the Christmas break has had any impact on their mojo.

Fishlock possibly had her quietest match so far against Adelaide, but that is by no means to say she didn’t play well.

Samuelsson seemed to revell playing further forward and presents an interesting challenge to the opposition if she ventures that far forward consistently. Gulcan Koca played splendidly in the midfield and presents a great option if Katie Hoyle or Fishlock are shutdown or otherwise engaged.

The Wanderers had a tough confrontation with mother nature last match when the temperature soared above 40 degrees. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and for the Wanderers that means they will be on fire.

Linda O’Neill was dangerous throughout the match with her speed and ball control and was unlucky not to add to her lone goal. Canulli was equally impressive and deftly slotted two balls past emerging Jets keeper, Eliza Campbell.

The great thing about Melbourne Victory this season is that the entire squad is talented.

Talented enough that even if you manage to contain one player, it’s likely that another equally challenging player will be there to take over. Thus becomes the vicious circle of how to contain them enough to play your own game. Adelaide managed to stifle some of Melbourne’s attacking ability but they rarely looked like they could challenge anything beyond that.

Key players for Melbourne Victory are definitely Jessica Fishlock and Lisa De Vanna and if you get close enough to goals, Brianna Davey is also an MVP.

The Wanderers have no shortage of their own A-Team with Matildas past and present in Heather Garriock, Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond. Expect them to have an influence on the game but also keep an eye out for dynamic O’Neill and goalscorer Canulli.

The last time these two teams met was the Season 5 farewell match for Fishlock. Victory sent her home in style taking the three points with a comprehensive 3-1 result.

That was back in the day of Sarah Walsh, Petra Larsson and Jess McDonald.

A lot changes in the W-League from year to year, and with the Wanderers undefeated in their past two matches, expect them to be full of belief and confidence, ready to dethrone league leaders Melbourne Victory.

Victory have a point to prove as while they are consistently winning matches, they have yet to really put it all together into one finely tuned cohesive unit that could beat Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar or Canberra United at their best.

Head to Head: Played 1, Melbourne 1, Western Sydney 0

Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers

Saturday 4 January 2014

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 4.30pm

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, 18. Emily Hulbert, 19. Alexandra Natoli 20. Cassandra Dimovski (gk) (two to omitted)

Ins: Beatrice Goad, Emily Hulbert (both promoted)

Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Tiffany Eliadis (overseas – one week)

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Shawna Gordon, 4. Camille Levin, 5. Emily Van Egmond (C), 7. Heather Garriock, 9. Jenna Kingsley, 11. Michelle Carney, 12. Jessica Seaman, 13. Catherine Cannuli, 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Linda O’Neill, 18. Helen Petinos, 22. Dimi Poulos (gk)

Unavailable: Jordan Baker (hip – one week), Tori Huster (knee – three weeks), Servet Uzunlar (quad – two weeks), Kyah Simon (knee - season), Racheal Souter (neck – season)