Melbourne City will aim to continue our unbeaten A-League Women’s season this Friday night as we travel to Tarneit to face Western United.
After last weekend’s impressive win in the top-of-the-table clash, our City Women will head into this encounter full of confidence against a Western United side that has had mixed results recently.
BREAKING OUR DUCK
As we prepare to face Western United for the first time this season, we’re also looking to break an unwanted streak.
Since the green-and-black joined the competition in the 2022/23 season, we have yet to secure three points in any of our four previous meetings.
Despite some strong performances in past seasons, we’ve managed only one point against Western, who have proven to be a bogey team for us since their introduction.
Western’s recent form has been inconsistent, alternating between wins and losses over their past five games. That said, they’ll be eager to impress in front of their home crowd on Friday night.
TJ BRINGS UP THE TON
A major milestone awaits for one of our Club stalwarts, as Tyla-Jay Vlajnic prepares to make her 100th A-League Women’s appearance.
Of those, 64 have been in Melbourne City colours, making it fitting that she reaches this landmark against Western United—the club where she made her other 35 ALW appearances to date.
Apart from her two-season stint across town, Vlajnic has been with City since our inaugural season, playing a key role in multiple trophy-winning campaigns.
The Serbian international has lifted the Premiers Plate twice and the Championship four times during her illustrious City career.
IS ROTATION NEEDED?
With an abundance of attacking talent in the squad, Michael Matricciani has frequently rotated in the final third throughout the season.
Last weekend, Lourdes Bosch and Kathryn Harvey returned to the starting XI, while Shelby McMahon and Rhianna Pollicina were named among the substitutes.
Holly McNamara also started on the bench but replaced Harvey at halftime, marking her longest cameo since returning from injury.
Now having appeared six times off the bench over the last month, Matricciani may be tempted to give our number 9 her first start of the season come Friday night.
FIXTURE DETAILS
A-League Women: Round 12
Western United v Melbourne City FC
Ironbark Fields
Friday 17 January, 7:35 pm KO
Live on 10play and Paramount+
