MVFC Blog

The Melbourne Victory hosts Adelaide United at the Telstra Dome on Saturday for the first time since last year’s Grand Final.

Adelaide have the perfect chance for revenge: if they beat the Victory on Saturday night, the defending champions can kiss their season goodbye.

Victory players met with club psychologist Patrick Farrell yesterday - a good move, in my opinion. Melbourne’s continuing bad run seems to be self-perpetuating: disappointing losses have caused players to lose their confidence, and this loss of confidence is very crippling. Danny Allsopp and Grant Brebner are two players who I believe need to come into the game with a more positive mindset.

New signee Nick Ward won’t arrive in Melbourne till early next week, but Ernie Merrick will be relieved to have Kevin Muscat return to the team after his 1-match suspension. Steve Pantelidis drops back out after picking up his 4th yellow card, and Steven Pace looks likely to take his place, with the former Preston boy finally recovered from a torn calf.

Meanwhile, Adelaide United are boosted by the return of Bruce Djite, but will miss Milan Susak and Isyan Erdogan, both of whom are out on suspension. Ange Costanzo, Cassio and Jason Spagnuolo are doubtful for the match.

Eugene Galekovic returns to Melbourne for the first time since he headed west. He will undoubtedly out to prove himself to the coach who benched him for a season and a half.

Other than Pantelidis, Merrick has a full squad to pick from. I’d like to see him start Kaz Patafta alongside Carlos Hernandez, to provide a more attacking impetus to the midfield. If that means Brebner or Broxham are kept on the bench, so be it. Muscat’s back in, so let’s keep the defensive midfield to a minimum.

My tip: Melbourne Victory 2, Adelaide United 1

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