Gold Coast have had a two week preparation for their home clash with the Victory on Sunday afternoon, but with goal-scoring fiend Shane Smeltz off to trial in Turkey and fellow striker Joel Porter suffering from a hamstring injury, coach Miron Bleiberg has been forced to turn to his young strike options against Melbourne.
Former Queensland Roar prodigy Tahj Minniecon looks set to get a rare start and may partner 19-year-old Eritrean Golgol Mebrahtu up front. Former Manchester United defender John Curtis is also likely to start against Melbourne in what would be his first taste of A-League football since joining Gold Coast during the off-season. The 31-year-old has fully recovered from a calf injury that saw him miss United’s opening two games.
Melbourne will be desperate to register their first win of the season, especially after blowing a 3-2 lead late on against a nine-man North Queensland Fury oufit at home last Sunday. Whilst the Fury’s leveling penalty was steeped in controversy, the Victory only had themselves to blame after squandering numerous opportunities in front of goal and can not afford to do so a second week running.
Neither side is playing well enough at the moment to tip as winners, so back the draw at 3.30