05_mel_ade_prevFollowing two consecutive 2-1 defeats Melbourne Victory will be desperate to return to the winners circle so as to not lose touch with the frontrunners. Adelaide too will have a similar mindset, having also suffered consecutive defeats by the same 2-1 scoreline.

Melbourne will have Australia U-17 coach Vicki Linton back on the bench after her two-week sojourn in China with the national team. The Victory created a significant number of chances last weekend against leaders Canberra, and could easily have taken something from the game with more clinical finishing.

The return of midfield dynamo Katrina Gorry last weekend was a major boost for the Victory and her combination going forward with striker Jodie Taylor could prove to be key.

The visitors still have a lengthy winless run hanging over their heads but, in truth, it is a statistic that belies their competitive start to the campaign.

Even a small dose of luck in front of goal could easily have seen the Lady Reds collect their first point over the past fortnight against either Perth Glory on the road, or Brisbane Roar at home. United’s squad will be boosted by return of their Australian U-17 trio - Emma Checker, Grace Henry and Ebony Philcox.


Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United

Saturday 19 November 2011

Veneto Club, Bulleen

Local kick-off: 5pm

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2.Rebekah STOTT, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Danielle JOHNSON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 8. Ashley BROWN, 9. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 10. Jodie TAYLOR (c), 11. Caitlin FRIEND, 12. Jackie VOGT, 13. Katrina GORRY 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Louisa BISBY, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Stephanie TANTI, 19. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 20. Cassandra Dimovski (gk)

* four to be omitted

In: Laura Spiranovic (returns from injury), Georgie Koutrouvelis, Jackie Vogt, Enza Barilla, Stephanie Tanti (all promoted)

Out: Rita Mankowska (suspended – 1 week)

Adelaide United squad: 20. Kristi HARVEY (Gk), 3.Anna GREEN, 4. Daniela DI BARTOLO, 5. Abby ERCEG (c), 6. Ebony PHILCOX, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Leanne SLATER, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 11. Ashleigh GUNNING, 12. Greta FRENCH-KENNEDY, 13. Vanessa REED, 14. Donna COCKAYNE, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Grace HENRY 17. Katherine EBBS, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Nenita BURGESS, 1. Sian MCLAREN (RGK)

* three to be omitted

In: Emma Checker, Grace Henry, Ebony Philcox (All return from international duty - Australia U-17)

Out: Ruth Wallace (injured)

Unavailable: Angela Fimmano (injured)