Brisbane Roar Head Coach Mike Mulvey has predicted a high-tempo, attacking fixture when Melbourne Victory come to Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
Brisbane Roar Head Coach Mike Mulvey has predicted a high-tempo, attacking fixture when Melbourne Victory come to Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
Matches between the two sides have provided plenty of action, and some controversy, over the years with lots of goals and plenty of talking points to keep fans and pundits alike happy.
Last season alone the three fixtures between the two sides yielded 13 goals, which resulted in two wins for Brisbane and a 2-2 draw in the first meeting of the season.
This season-s first clash between Brisbane and Melbourne saw the Roar complete a comprehensive 5-0 win over the Victory in former coach Ange Postecoglou-s first visit to Suncorp Stadium at the helm of an opposition club, having steered Brisbane to consecutive championships.
The follow-up in Melbourne created plenty of media attention before the fixture, while the match produced a pulsating 1-1 draw as Michael Theo put in an outstanding performance to secure a valuable away point.
Mulvey said he was confident his side was well prepared for the challenge and tipped another edge of the seat clash between the two sides.
“All players want to play in big games and Melbourne Victory is a big club, they-re high on the table and it-s a game all players want to play in,” Mulvey said.
“I think the fans should really be looking forward to it as well, for both teams.
“Both teams play attractive football, both teams try to play attacking football so it should be an entertaining night of football.
“It should be a good crowd, it should be an excellent game to play in and an excellent game to watch.
“I-d tell any fan and player out there in Brisbane to come out and watch because it should be an entertaining night of football.
Mulvey appears set to select an unchanged team for Saturday night-s blockbuster fixture.
The stability within the starting eleven, three fixtures unchanged, has been a reflection of the steadily improving performances displayed by the team under Mulvey-s watch.
Brisbane has not conceded a goal in 442 minutes of Hyundai A-League or AFC Champions League football.
The last goal conceded was Peter Triantis- quality strike from distance in the 68th minute of the 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC in Round 20.
While three points remain important in the run-in to the end of the season, Mulvey said maintaining the level of recent performances was equally as important.
“We want consistency of performance, we-ve been lifting the level of performance in the past couple of weeks,” he said.
“We-ve conceded no goals in the past four games in normal play.
“But for an offside flag, we would have had three wins on the trot (in the Hyundai A-League), so we-ve got some momentum.
“We-ve got a lot of momentum from the performance last week when we created a lot of chances against a team that-s in the top four, away from home.
“We-re at home on Saturday night, so I think there-s a lot to be optimistic about.”
Saturday, March 09
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Kick off: 6.45 PM
Referee: Peter Green
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD and Sky Sports 2
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ROARvMV
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael Theo (gk), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 4. Matt Jurman, 5. Ivan Franjic, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Stef Nijland, 10. Henrique, 11. Ben Halloran, 13. Jade North, 14. Steven Lustica, 15. James Donachie, 17. Mitch Nichols, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Matt Acton (gk), 22. Thomas Broich (c), 25. George Lambadaridis. (Three to be omitted)
Ins: 8. Massimo Murdocca (returns from injury), 4. Matt Jurman (promoted), 25. George Lambadaridis (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 2. Matt Smith (hip – season)
Melbourne Victory Squad: 1. Tando Velaphi (GK), 3. Adama Traore, 5. Mark Milligan, 6. Leigh Broxham, 8. Jonathan Bru, 9. Marcos Flores, 10. Archie Thompson, 11. Marco Rojas, 13. Diogo Ferreira, 14. Billy Celeski, 17. Jimmy Jeggo, 18. Francesco Stella, 21. Spase Dilevski, 22. Jesse Makarounas, 23. Adrian Leijer, 26. Andrew Nabbout, 31. Scott Galloway, 32. Connor Pain, 33. Daniel Mullen, 39. Nathan Coe (GK) (Five to be omitted)
Ins: Marcos Flores (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 7. Gui FINKLER (knee) 24.Nick ANSELL (groin)
