In the ABC TV Match of the Round defending champions Melbourne Victory host ladder leaders Perth Glory in the final match of Round 8.

In a season that is as unpredictable as it is entertaining, both Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory are coming off losses at the hands of a revitalised Adelaide United. 

Victory have lost their early season momentum, suffering their first ever defeat (2-1) at the hands of the giantkillers in their rescheduled midweek match. 

Perth Glory suffered their first loss of the season (1-0) in a match that left the purple army a little perplexed as to what happened and, at the same time, adamant it should not be repeated. 

Victory have endured a challenging week, with two losses and two suspended players (Lisa De Vanna and Emma Checker) the blinding focus for many. 

Even in the gloom of this result there are always positives and possibly the only one to take from the match against Adelaide was the form of Lauren Barnes. 

In a back three formation, Barnes was exquisite against Kristy Moore. Lacking the pace of Moore, she made up for it with excellent positioning, well timed tackles. 

Throughout the course of the game, Barnes surpassed Moore in their matchup, even though  Adelaide eventually overran the rest of the team.

Perth fared little better in their clash against Adelaide. With both Sam Kerr and Collette McCallum unavailable, there were a couple of big holes to fill and in the end they were unable to. 

Victory have injury afflictions, suspension woes and national duty decimation on their plate at the moment, but there is still life in them yet.

The likes of Christine Nairn and Steph Catley are just two players who can turn a game but where Melbourne really need to polish is their execution in the final third.

With eight different players finding the net, shortage of goalscorers is not the problem for Victory. Consistency of finish, first touch and some good old fashioned finesse will do wonders. 

Perth are seemingly the full package. A loss in the previous round was perchance just a momentary blight on an otherwise dominant season. 

Melbourne spectators will be treated to a wonderful display of aerial dominance from Kate Gill, speed and agility from Sam Kerr and sweet precision from Collette McCallum. 

If that’s not enough, Caitlin Foord is one of the most multifaceted and versatile players we’ve yet to see in the W-League.

The last time these two teams met, Perth ran out the victors with a 1-0 upset at Kingston Heath. Victory had a staggering 13 corners to 1, 11 shots on goal to 2 and still succumbed to a lone Kate Gill strike.

Melbourne need to win this match to keep alive any realistic finals hopes, whilst Perth will be looking to secure a finals position four weeks early.

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory

Sunday 2 November 2014

Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 3pm

* Catch all the action Live at 3.00pm nationally on ABC1. Or from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Tuesday.

** Listen LIVE on FFV Radio from 2.30pm. Head to www.footballfedvic.com.au or search 'FFV Radio' in the TuneIn smartphone app.

Melbourne Victory squad: 2. Hannah BREWER, 4. Alexandra NATOLI, 5. Lauren BARNES, 6. Gema SIMON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (C), 8. Amy JACKSON, 9. Racheal QUIGLEY, 10. Christine NAIRN, 12. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 13. Alexandra GUMMER, 14. Tiffany ELIADIS, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Elli REED, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (GK), 30. Tori SNELLEKSZ (GK)

Ins: Alexandra Gummer (promoted)

Outs: Beattie Goad (Westfield Young Matildas)

Unavailable: Brianna Davey (leg – 2-3 weeks), Lisa De Vanna (suspension – 1 week), Emma Checker (Westfield Young Matildas)

Perth Glory squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Sarah Carroll, 3. Carys Hawkins, 4. Bronwyn Studman, 5. Shannon May 6. Alanna Kennedy, 7. Gabrielle Marzano, 9. Caitlin Foord, 12. Kate Gill, 13. Elisa D’Ovidio, 14. Collette McCallum, 15. Shelina Zadorsky, 17. Marianna Tabain, 20. Samantha Kerr, Kathleen Waycott (gk)

Ins: Collette McCallum, Sam Kerr (returns from injury)

Outs: Thia Eastman, Shawn Billam (both omitted)

Unavailable: Gabrielle Dal Busco (Westfield Young Matildas)