A-League Round 27

Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory

Allianz Stadium

Kick off: 7:50pm

Preview

The final game of the season arrives, and, whatever the result, we are going to be crowned Premiers after the game. Graham Arnold's last league game in charge of the team is a special occasion, however, and with Bobo aiming to keep his goal-a-game record, this should be a great contest. Though there may not be anything on the line in terms of league position for Sydney, games against Victory are always going to be fiercely contested. In fact, given how important this game is, it will be interesting to watch Arnie's selection. Sydney have a crucial game against Shanghai during mid next week, and Arnie may want to rest a couple of key players for that game. It will be interesting to see how he juggles those selections and if some players, particularly Warland, can keep their spot. Victory haven't beaten us since 26th January 2016 and Muscat's men will be keen to set that right. Victory are in good form at the moment, notching up plenty of wins (except in Asia) and in Kenny Athiu they may have found their answer to the problem of a back-up to Berisha. Not only that, but Victory are still aiming for third place on the table, possibly giving them a line through to the ACL next year and a better finals run.

 

Head-to-Head

Played: 44

Won: 14

Drawn: 17

Lost: 13

 

League Form

Sydney: W-W-W-L-L

Victory: W-W-L-W-W

 

Previous Meeting

 

Last 5 Results

26/1/18 - Victory 1 - 3 Sydney FC

7/10/17 - Victory 0 - 1 Sydney FC

7/5/17 - Sydney FC 1 (4) - (2) 1 - Victory

3/3/17 - Sydney FC 1 - 0 Victory

26/1/17 - Victory 1 - 2 Sydney FC

 

Squads

To be announced

 

Former Victory Players in Sydney Squad

None

Former Sydney Players in Victory Squad

• Terry Antonis (2010-15)

 

Players appearing in all league games this season

• Bobo
• Jordy Buijs
• Andrew Redmayne

League goalscorers 2017/18

• Bobo - 26
• Mierzejewski – 13
• Ninkovic – 6
• Brosque/Carney - 4
• O'Neill/Simon - 2
• Brillante/Ryall/Wilkshire/Zullo - 1

League yellow cards 2017/18

• O'Neill/Wilkshire - 6
• Ninkovic - 5
• Brillante - 4
• Mierzejewski/Brosque - 3
• Buijs/Carney/Zullo - 2
• Simon/Bobo/Retre/Wilkinson - 1

Hopefully we get a good crowd to see the boys lift the plate. Game is on the last day of the school term which should hopefully help the school kids (which make up many of SFC's members) attend.

What was said in 1854 still applies in 2018 ...

EDIT: Fuck it, the link won't work so here is an excerpt from a Sydney paper in 1854 ...

"In the history of man it would be difficult to find anything more appalling than the present condition of Melbourne, and the causes and results of that condition."

Yeah I still can't believe we lead the head to head stats vs MV.. never thought I'd see that, back in the day we used to beat them once every 2-3 seasons.

I bought 5 tickets on Monday 9 April and PAX was 8558. Healthy start!

The best part about this though is witnessing Melbourne perform a guard of honour! Fucking scenes

Posted by: MouraG17

The best part about this though is witnessing Melbourne perform a guard of honour! Fucking scenes

Do you really think they're going to do that for us? I'll believe it when I see it.

Posted by: WhatWouldTerryDo

Yeah I still can't believe we lead the head to head stats vs MV.. never thought I'd see that, back in the day we used to beat them once every 2-3 seasons.

I'm still terrified every time we play them. Flashbacks to *that* grand final. 

Muscat's face when they give us a guard of honour. It's going to be amazing.

https://amp.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-fc-goad-rivals-by-asking-victory-to-form-guard-of-honour-20180411-p4z924.html?__twitter_impression=true

 

The sheer disrespect of this is beautiful

Arnie going out with a fucking bang. Top notch trolling. 

Also the lads will be the first team to receive premiership medals, previously has only been the plate presented

Posted by: sinjin.

Also the lads will be the first team to receive premiership medals, previously has only been the plate presented

More evidence of favouritism by the Sydney FC loving FFA. How deep does this rabbit hole go? Wake up sheeple!

Tomorrow will mark 808 days since they last beat us in a competitive fixture.

Posted by: eddie

Tomorrow will mark 808 days since they last beat us in a competitive fixture.

Someone has to set up a website like the clock we had since the Wanderers beat us. 

Would rather take a loss tonight than one in a semi or grand final

Posted by: RedKat

Would rather take a loss tonight than one in a semi or grand final

Tonight? In the eSports match up?

 

Posted by: Rory Bunk

Posted by: RedKat

Would rather take a loss tonight than one in a semi or grand final

Tonight? In the eSports match up?

 

I keep thinking its Friday. Blame all the four day weeks we just had

Posted by: WhatWouldTerryDo

Yeah I still can't believe we lead the head to head stats vs MV.. never thought I'd see that, back in the day we used to beat them once every 2-3 seasons.

Tell us more of these strange and terrible times, old timer.

Grant named in squad

Awesome!

But...what does that mean for Wilkshire (who I though came in as Bert's injury replacement)? Was there cap space to bring him in on as well as Grant?

While I love our Rhyan and am stoked that he's back, at this late stage of the season from our POV, having the match fit Lukey in the side is a better option.

Posted by: CountArach

Posted by: eddie

Tomorrow will mark 808 days since they last beat us in a competitive fixture.

Someone has to set up a website like the clock we had since the Wanderers beat us. 

 

Posted by: Rory Bunk

Awesome!

But...what does that mean for Wilkshire (who I though came in as Bert's injury replacement)? Was there cap space to bring him in on as well as Grant?

While I love our Rhyan and am stoked that he's back, at this late stage of the season from our POV, having the match fit Lukey in the side is a better option.

There would be enough cap space left to bring him in now, it's barely even a 2 month contract. Not only that, pretty sure he wouldn't be able to sign with anyone else until June so it makes no sense for him to not stay on.

Posted by: eddie

Posted by: CountArach

Posted by: eddie

Tomorrow will mark 808 days since they last beat us in a competitive fixture.

Someone has to set up a website like the clock we had since the Wanderers beat us. 

 

Time since Sydney FC last lost to Melbourne VictoryCountup

You are doing this city a great service. 

Why would you do that immediately before a game? That's just asking for trouble.

Trolling after a win is one thing, but this....

Jimmies suitably rustled:

https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/muscat-we-wont-give-sydney-a-guard-of-honour-488844

Kevin Muscat has refuted claims Sydney FC asked for a guard-of-honour before the Big Blue, saying the reports were "disrespectful" journalism.

There had been reports that Sydney requested Melbourne provide them with a guard-of-honour after the club secured a second successive A-League Premiership, however Muscat flatly denied that such a ceremony would take place.

"There's nothing to fulfil ... there hasn't been a request," Muscat told AAP.

"We haven't heard anything about it ... and it's a little bit late in the piece now. We're preparing for a football game so it's irrelevant really."

While a win for Sydney would further push their recent dominance in the fixture, with Graham Arnold's side winning their last seven encounters, Victory could leapfrog Melbourne City into third spot with three points.

Although Arnold insists the fixture's difference in importance between the two clubs won't be changing Sydney's approach.

"I don't know anything about that. Last year Newcastle did it for us, we didn't ask for it, they did it," Arnold said.

"It's totally up to Melbourne and we're just preparing to walk down that tunnel and go across that white line on the pitch and we're expecting a really good game.

"Anything else around that doesn't matter ... it's totally up to them."

The Sky Blues face Victory tomorrow night at Allianz Stadium.