Menu Close

Preview: Semi-Final: Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory – 28/4/18

A-League Semi Final

Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory

Allianz Stadium

Saturday 28 April 2018

Kick off: 7:50pm

Discuss this game on the forum here

 

Preview

That’s right, this lot again. Just a fortnight after playing them in the League.

 

Sydney have been dominant in the past two seasons, and that is truly reflected by the fact that Victory haven’t beaten Sydney since 26 January 2016, well over two years. Sydney have won all seven of the last seven contests between these two sides, including last year’s Final. Despite being knocked out of Asia after a disappointing 0-0 last Tuesday, confidence should still be high in the Sydney camp, and the extra rest time may have helped with some of those players who have been looking a bit leggy. Bobo has continued his good form through to the end of the season, Adrian has looked unstoppable, and with Zullo back the squad is humming along nicely providing all the service we need.

 

Victory will want to strike early here. Sydney will probably take some time to shake off the rust accumulated over the last week and a half without a fixture. Victory also dominated the early parts of the game last time we clashed, but were unable to take advantage of their dominance. After playing in a high-intensity fixture on Sunday, it remains to be seen if they still have the legs for this. It would be a surprise if Muscat doesn’t get them up for this one through. Particularly worrying is Berisha’s record in big games and Antonis’ recent form in midfield.

 

Meanwhile the Sydney players have been giving interviews really playing on the Melbourne psyche, getting under our rivals’ skin. I highly recommend reading this offering from Brosque:

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-s-big-blue-dominance-will-play-on-victory-s-mind-alex-brosque-20180423-p4zb8b.html

And this offering from Zullo:

https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/zullo-we-win-every-time-we-play-victory-489553

 

Head-to-Head

Played: 45

Won: 15

Drawn: 17

Lost: 13

Finals Head-to-Head

Played: 6

Won: 2

Drawn: 1

Lost: 3

 

League Form

Sydney: W-W-W-W-L

Victory: L-W-W-L-W

 

Previous Meeting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-21GX9IUDwo

Last 5 Results

13/4/18 – Sydney FC 1 – 0 Victory

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

 

Squads

To be announced

 

Former Victory Players in Sydney Squad

None

Former Sydney Players in Victory Squad

Terry Antonis (2010-15)

 

League goalscorers 2017/18

Bobo – 27

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/Bobo – 2

Simon/Retre/Wilkinson – 1