Melbourne Victory will welcome Western United on Boxing Day in the Sixth Round of the 2021/22 A-League season.
Venue: AAMI Park (Melbourne)
Key Statistics – Melbourne Victory vs Western United
Melbourne Victory have won just one of their last five home games in the league.
The hosts have kept just one clean sheet in their last eleven home games.
They have won three out of their opening five games in the league this season.
Western United have the best defensive record in the league so far, having conceded just one goal in the league.
They have scored just four goals in the league so far.
Head to head
In seven head-to-head meetings between both teams, Western United have the advantage as they have four wins compared to Melbourne Victory’s two wins (D1).
Latest Performances in all competitions
Melbourne Victory: D-W-L-W-W
Western United: W-W-L-W-W
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory will look to get back to winning in the league when they welcome Western United to AAMI Park on Boxing Day.
The hosts were only able to draw 2-2 to Melbourne City in their last game thanks to a late equaliser by Nicolas D’Agostino. The result followed their 2-1 win over Adelaide United and was enough to secure them a place in the top three.
They come into this round three points behind leaders Macarthur FC. For a club that won last year’s wooden spoon, such a high league position so early in the season signifies that they have made progress.
With over two dozen games still to play, Tony Popovic’s side will want to keep their foot down and their focus firmly on the prize which remains a top-two finish at the end of the season.
Possible Melbourne Victory starting line-ups
Ivan Kelava; Jason Davidson, Leigh Broxham, Jason Geria, Brendan Hamill; Joshua Brillante, Rai Marchan; Chris Ikonomidis, Jake Brimmer, Ben Folami; Nick D’Agostino
Injured: Matt Acton, Marco Rojas.
Doubtful: Roderick Miranda.
Suspended: None
Western United
Western United travel across Sydney looking to continue their impressive run in the league.
The visitors beat Adelaide United last week to extend their winning run to four games in the league. The win also extended their clean sheet run to four consecutive clean sheets.
Each of their last four wins has seen them win by a 1-0 margin, showing that they are basing their success this season on efficiency and game management.
They come into this round of games sitting in second place, one point behind the leaders. They will fancy their chances of extending their winning run here and so extend their stay at the top.
However, they must improve on their goal ratio if they want to enjoy success this season. However, a stingy defence that has conceded just one goal this season will be crucial to their chances of finishing in the top two this season.
Possible Western United starting line-ups
Jamie Young; Joshua Risdon, Tomoki Imai, Leo Lacroix, Benjamin Garuccio, Steven Lustica, Neil Kilkenny, Lachlan Wales, Alessandro Diamanti, Dylan Wenzel-Halls, Connor Pain.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Melbourne Victory 2-2 Western United
