Melbourne City have the opportunity to wrap up the W-League Premiership with two games to spare if they defeat Brisbane Roar on the Gold Coast today.
A win would also seal a streak of 10 wins on the trot, also a W-League record.
Last week’s opponents Perth Glory were able to hold off the hosts for a half before the floodgates opened in the second period for a 4-0 scoreline.
It was a similar case to the last time City played Brisbane, with the Roar frustrating the hosts before a red card undid their hard work.
After breaking a barren run of form ending last week with a 3-0 win over Sydney, coach Belinda Wilson said her side are raring to face the runaway leaders.
“We’ve been saying all season it is about belief and being fearless, if we keep playing like that, we can beat any team in the league, Melbourne City included,” she said.
And, should City become ever so complacent after almost wrapping up the league so early in the campaign, maybe a surprise result could be on the cards.
Selection news
Laura Alleway returns this week, recovering from an ankle injury, with Anisa Guajardo the one to make way for the Matilda.
Amy Jackson deputised at centre back last week as Joe Montemurro tried a 3-4-3 formation for the second week in a row.
While City rarely looked like conceding, in similar fashion to the Newcastle game they struggled to fashion opportunities at the other end.
After reverting to a more familiar 4-3-3, the team’s fluency – and goals – returned.
Beattie Goad seemed to have held down a spot in the first XI with another start, though Marianna Tabain scored with her first touch off the bench.
Melbourne City squad: 1. Brianna Davey (GK), 3. Alex Chidiac, 4. Jennifer Beattie, 5. Laura Alleway, 6. Aivi Luik, 7. Stephanie Catley, 8. Kim Little, 9. Larissa Crummer, 10. Jessica Fishlock, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 13. Rebekah Stott, 15. Amy Jackson, 16. Beattie Goad, 17. Marianna Tabain, 20. Trudy Burke (GK)
Key players
Kim Little
The Scottish international netted her fifth goal of the season with a classy finish to open the scoring the last week.
Her ability in the final third can unlock a game seemingly out of nowhere, with opposition defences having to be on constant guard to negate her threat.
She is a natural winner, having won leagues with Arsenal and Seattle Reign in seven of her past eight season, and in a scary prospect, says the table-toppers can get even better.
“In some games we have performed really well, and in other games I think we felt we could have done more in terms of possession or scoring more goals,” she said.
“But in general of course we have to be happy, having not lost and with so many clean sheets.”
Brianna Davey
Though neither her nor Trudy Burke have had much to do between the sticks this season, the Matilda – on the return from injury – is a key cog of a star-studded backline that seldom looks like conceding against any side.
After the disappointment of missing out on a World Cup spot, and subsequent injury, the 20-year-old is now on the verge of more W-League silverware which can act as a massive confidence builder and launching pad for future success.
Predicted line-up
Bench: Burke, Tabain, Chidiac, Jackson
Predicted result
Something different. Early complacency leading to a Brisbane goal that sparks City into life and a 2-1 win.