Pre-match: Perth Vs. Melbourne

By: Marcus | August 28th, 2009

Date: Friday August 28
Kick-off: 10:00pm AEST (8pm local)
Venue: ME Bank Stadium, Perth

Perth Vs. Melbourne

Analysis:
I think Melbourne have some momentum going into this match, the midfield looks to be as strong as it has been all season with Ward, Celeski and Hernandez all predicated to start. But I think Perth have a very good chance in this match, especially after there 2-0 win last week. With Melbourne’s defence a bit weak on the wings, due to Berger’s groin injury and Kemp missing with his wife being predicted to give birth to there baby for over a week, Broxham will play in left back, which Perth, I’m sure will be quick to test out his capabilities. Melbourne have also struggled over in Perth losing our last 3 matches but Perth’s defence isn’t the best, with Velaphi only ever keeping 2 clean sheets, this one will be interesting indeed.

Stats

Head-to-head
Played 12: Wins: Perth 4, Melbourne 4, Draws: 4

Previous meeting
Perth Glory 3, Melbourne Victory 2, ME Bank Stadium, Round 19, January 2009

Season so far:
Perth Glory:
Round 1: Adelaide United 1, Perth Glory 0, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 2: Wellington Phoenix 2, Perth Glory 1, Westpac Stadium
Round 3: Perth Glory 2, Newcastle Jets 0, ME Bank Stadium

Melbourne Victory:
Round 1: Melbourne Victory 0, Central Coast Mariners 2, Etihad Stadium
Round 2: Melbourne Victory 3, Brisbane Roar 3, Etihad Stadium
Round 3: North Queensland Fury 1, Melbourne Victory 0, Dairy Farmers Stadium

Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Scott BULLOCH, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 24.Matthew MAYORA, 25.AMARAL
*three to be omitted*
In: Scott BULLOCH (promoted), Eugene DADI (promoted), AMARAL (promoted – guest player)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Jamie COYNE (knee – 2 weeks), Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 4 weeks), Jamie HARNWELL (hamstring – 1 week), Anthony SKORICH (hip – 5 weeks)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 5.Surat SUKHA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS (c), 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 22.Nick WARD

In: Matthew FOSCHINI (promoted)
Out: Evan BERGER (groin – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: Kevin MUSCAT (hamstring – 2 weeks)

Prediction:
Melbourne 2-1

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In Other News:
Hernandez has been included in Costa Rica’s National squad for some key qualifier’s, he will miss 2 matches but this is still great for Carlos.
Elasi has been named in the preliminary 30 man squad for the Under 20’s World Cup, all the best Nathan.