The Melbourne Victory juggernaut heads to Newcastle this week to take on the Jets, fresh after a thrilling 3-2 derby win over City and ticking over 26,000 members for the first time.
While Hunter Stadium has historically been an unhappy hunting ground for the club, yielding just two wins in 14 games over the decade of the A-League, Kevin Muscat won’t be expecting anything less than three points tonight.
The Victory coach will have one major selection dilemma, with Leigh Broxham available for selection after returning from suspension.
However, after his man of the match performance on his starting debut, 18-year-old Thomas Deng may just be undroppable for the clash.
“Broxie was unavailable last week through no fault of his own, so he certainly won’t be punished from that perspective,” Muscat said.
“But at the same time, (Deng) comes into the team, does well and puts himself in a position to keep his place.”
In other selection news, new signing Giancarlo Gallifuoco is omitted from the squad completely.
For Newcastle, Mark Birighitti will sit out of the clash following his sickening facial injury after copping a stray boot from Shane Smeltz last week, with Ben Kennedy to start.
Labinot Haliti is also out for the hosts after sustaining a season-ending knee injury.
Following a smash and grab victory away at Wellington in Round 1 the Jets were left reeling last week, having a goal to Jason Hoffman incorrectly ruled offside before conceding a late goal to lose 1-0 at home to Sydney FC.
Key Battles:
David Carney vs opposing fullback
You’ve got to hand it to him, Carney is still one of Newcastle’s most dangerous players on the wing. Whether he plays on the right and cuts in on his left boot, or plays on the left, his direct opponent will have to make sure to stem his supply to the likes of Alivodic and Trifunovic.
Ben Kennedy vs Besart Berisha
Ben Kennedy was one of the most impressive players on the park as Newcastle recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Victory at AAMI Park in their last encounter in April, and he’ll have to be on his guard again against Victory’s imposing attack. As Berisha showed last week, he can be peripheral for the majority of a game before scoring with his second shot on target late in the contest.
Predicted line-up:
While the forward line and midfield should remain unchanged despite an injury scare to Khalfallah at training, two uncertainties persist. Will Muscat start Broxham in centre-back or play him off the bench, and will Dylan Murnane – who has also been serviceable – retain his left back spot with Galloway and Geria both available for selection? We’ll say Deng to keep his spot, with Georgievski to shift to left back and Geria to come back in on the right:
Prediction:
Victory to see off a plucky Jets outfit, scrapping a 2-1 win on the road.