Credit: Emily Mogic Credit: Emily Mogic

Leading in to this highly anticipated encounter between first and fourth on the ladder, Victory have had a nice run of home matches (3) whilst Canberra have been on the road for their last four.

Round 7 produced yet another goal for leading scorer Caitlin Friend and a first for 16 year old debutante Beattie Goad resulting in a 2-0 win for Melbourne Victory against the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Canberra United’s fate was quite the reverse, going down 2-0 against surprise giant killers Adelaide United.

The entrance of Goad was perhaps the feature story of Victory’s meeting with the Wanderers. The young attacker scored her maiden W-League goal and delivered on the promise she has shown Dave Edmondson.

Katie Hoyle played her best match of the season dominating in the midfield. Jessica Samuelsson again proved herself as an attacking defender as she combined successfully with the midfield and forwards. The finesse and fitness of both players allowed them to carve up the opposition.

Friend continues to score even in rough conditions. Her lone goal was indicative of her tenacity. Surrounded by five Wanderers players, the striker still managed to slot the ball into the net.

Often an architect in her ball disposal, Steph Catley continues to take the captaincy in stride and delivers week after week with poise. With Catley on one side, Samuelsson on the other, Jessica Fishlock, Gulcan Koca and Hoyle in the midfield, Victory are a challenging opposition and in good form across the board.

Canberra United’s road trip to Adelaide last week is possibly something they would rather forget but it’s definitely something they shouldn’t. It’s telling that coach Elisabeth Migchelsen stated her team “lacked aggression” and there’s no point ignoring this fact.

Ellie Brush created some opportunities for Canberra against Adelaide last week but there seemed little else to celebrate and Canberra need to refocus after the loss.

A light training schedule (only two sessions in two weeks) may have relaxed the Canberra squad too much but they’re still very much a quality outfit.

Canberra’s defence is the best in the league so far. Led by goalkeeper Lydia Williams and captain Nicole Sykes, United have allowed only three goals and will be aiming to shutdown the dual threat of Friend and Lisa De Vanna.

Complementary strikers Stephanie Ochs and Michelle Heyman will be looking to demolish the sometimes shaky Victory defense. Paired with the speed of Ashleigh Sykes, this could be quite dangerous for Emma Checker and Jessica Humble as Catley and Samuelsson could be caught higher up the pitch.

Lori Lindsey’s first visit to Melbourne will be to hopefully teach them a lesson as she squares up against the navy blue midfield, but on paper, everything Lindsey has got, Melbourne has got too.

These two teams haven’t met since round 9 last season where Melbourne snatched a 2-1 victory in the final moments of the match via a beautiful chip from Fishlock.

They haven’t played in Melbourne since round 5 of that same season and the crowd will be looking forward to a great contest.

Head to Head: Played 11, Melbourne 4, Canberra 5, Draw 2

Melbourne Victory v Canberra United

Sunday 12 January 2014

Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 3pm

** Catch all the action Live* at 3.00pm on ABC1. Or catch up from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Thursday (*live in AEDT states)

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. Jess Fishlock 11. Lisa De Vanna 12. Jessica Samuelsson 14. Enza Barilla 15. Emma Checker 16. Beattie Goad, 17. Gulcan Koca, 18. Emily Hulbert, 20. Cassie Dimovski (gk) (one to omitted)

Ins: Emily Hulbert (promoted)

Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Tiffany Eliadis (overseas – one week), Alex Natoli (hamstring 2-3 weeks)

Canberra United squad: Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), Catherine BROWN, Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, Kendall FLETCHER, Ellie BRUSH (c), Meg McLAUGHLIN, Grace GILL, Michelle HEYMAN, Sally ROJAHN, Caitlin MUNOZ, Nicole SYKES, Ashleigh SYKES, Lori LINDSEY, Jennifer BISSET, Trudy BURKE (gk), Stephanie OCHS (one to be omitted)

Ins: Georgia Yeoman-Dale (promoted)

Unavailable: Sally Shipard (knee – indefinite)