What a mouth watering prospect this game is!
Cross town rivalry at it's best with an expected crowd of 28,000 at Aami Park in Melbourne . It is now the most anticipated fixture in the A-League and this particular match has even the neutrals salivating with both teams arguably at their peak, coming off wins last weekend.
Every time these 2 teams have met the Victory have been overwhelming favourites. Despite that fact honours are actually even with 1 win a piece, 1 score draw (2-2) and an entertaining scoreless encounter at their last meeting this October (Round 3).
This time around there is very little between the 2 teams, with most betting agencies perhaps surprisingly quoting Victory as slight favourites.
The Heart sit 3 points clear of Victory, have conceded the same amount of goals but have scored 2 more themselves. They are the home team on Friday night and have been a far more consistent side of late winning 5 of their last 6 encounters with 1 loss to the current competition leaders, Central Coast Mariners. In retrospect that was certainly no disgrace.
In contrast Victory have only won 2 of their last 6, drawn 3 and lost 1.
Going on previous history between these two and current form, it is very hard to tip against Melbourne Heart either winning or drawing this match. Given the passionate support for both teams and heightened adrenalin levels of the combatants, the most likely result would appear to be a draw. That would be the typical Derby result but let's hope this time both sides at least get on the score sheet.
Really looking forward to this clash!
Wow!
ReplyDeleteWhat a superb showing that was by Melbourne Heart tonight.
Maybe a big statement but they will just about win this competition on what they showed tonight. 3-2 was very flattering to Melbourne Victory who admittedly threw everything at Heart early and so successfully.
For the Heart to turn that early domination around so quickly and pretty much boss the rest of the game has to be a massive confidence booster as well as a warning siren to every other club in the A-League.
They had so much in reserve in that game it wasn't funny. Fancy subbing 2 players who were right at the top of the game at the time they left the pitch? A sub comes on and pretty much scores with his first touch (Alex Terra).
So many young players with so much more to offer. Dugandzic, Bajic and Babalj. The latter was absolutely superb during his time on the field. I didn't even know he was Australian. Viduka like and only 20!
Matt Thompson was superb again. 2 great goals.
They were just in another class tonight and made a mockery of the fact this was a Derby.
On the other hand that was embarassing for Melbourne Victory. Totally outplayed in the end, too old and defensively they just haven't got it.
Fabio at left back is pretty much a liability for them and has been all season.
Archie Thompson & Carlos Hernandez must be tearing their hear out. They were immense tonight but again have had to watch their excellent endeavour disentegrate into a deep chasm that swallowed up their defence.