The A-League’s two most high-profile clubs will renew hostilities for the first time since their entertaining 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium back in Round 1, when the Victory host the sky blues in an Australia Day clash at AAMI Park on Thursday afternoon.
Melbourne were dealt a serious blow to their playoff chances on Sunday afternoon in Perth, with the Glory racking up their highest goal total of the season in the 4-1 win over Jim Magilton’s side. The seventh place Victory are now four points adrift of Sydney (sixth) with a game in hand, and still looking for their first win under their new coach, but just how the players respond to the Northern Irishman’s most recent post-match comments that they need to “have a look in the mirror” will be interesting to see. Fringe Socceroo defensive utility Mark Milligan has signed a loan-deal with Melbourne that will see him at the club for the rest of the season, however the Japanese-based player is unlikely to line up on Thursday.
The sky blues snapped a four-match losing streak with their 2-1 home win over bottom place Gold Coast on the weekend – thanks to a last-minute winner to Brazilian striker Bruno Cazarine – to ease the pressure on 2009-2010 championship winning coach Viterzslav Lavicka, who is off-contract after the first stage of this year’s Asian Champions League.
Tip - Four of the last five encounters between these two teams have ended with the scores even, so don’t be surprised to see another stalemate in this one. Back the Draw in the head-to-head market, which is good value at $3.40.
Place bets by: January 26, 2012 04:05pm CST
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Melbourne Victory | $2.25 |
| Sydney | $3.1 |
| Draw | $3.3 |
| Over | $1.88 |
| Under | $1.88 |
| VIEW ODDS |