Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory Preview

By: Ahmed | August 14th, 2009

Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory (Round 2 Hyundai A-League)
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Kick Off: 7:30 PM AEST
Broadcast: Fox Sports 3

The two best priced teams by the bookies this year will meet in round two of the Hyundai A-league. Both teams are coming off loses they would rather forget. Brisbane lost to newcomers and rivals, Gold Coast United. Melbourne lost to a team that many expected to get off to a slow start, Central Coast Mariners. Melbourne is without captain Kevin Muscat who is out for 4-6 weeks after injuring his hamstring. Rodrigo Vargas is set to take over the captaincy in Muscats absence, and Surat Sukha is expected to make his debut for the Victory.

Brisbane Roar lost Andrew Packer for 8 weeks minimum after he injured his right groin and scans revealed he has torn his adductor from the bone. Luke DeVere will slot in as a like for like replacement. There are injury concerns over Michael Zullo and Charlie Miller, but both are expected to make the trip down south. Goalkeeper Griffin McMaster is out with the flu and youth goalkeeper Matt Acton will travel as the backup to Liam Reddy.

Probable Teams
Brisbane Roar: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Craig MOORE (c), 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6. David DODD, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER, 12. Matt MUNDY, 13. HENRIQUE, 15. Matt McKAY, 16. Bob MALCOLM, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Danny TIATTO, N/A. Matt Acton (rgk), 24. Robbie KRUSE.
*one to be omitted

Melbourne Victory: Melbourne Victory: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 5.Surat SUHKA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS (c), 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 19.Evan BERGER, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 22.Nick WARD

Stats
Head-to-head:
12 Hyundai A-League meetings: Wins: Melbourne 7, Brisbane 4, Draws – 1
Previous meeting:
Melbourne Victory 2, Queensland Roar 1, Etihad Stadium, Round 17, January 2009

Prediction:
Both teams would be disappointed with their start to the A-league season. Brisbane has done well away from home in previous seasons and will know that a win is not impossible. Melbourne will want to assert their favorites tag and repay the fans that show up to watch them. It promises to be good encounter between both teams and the football promises to be good. It’s hard to call a winner in this match, but one thing is for sure, both teams will be looking for a win.