Melbourne City FC will face its biggest test of the A-League Women season when the team travels to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium to take on league leaders Sydney FC on Saturday evening.
Both teams come into the clash in great form and will hope to come away with a decisive three points that could be pivotal to the title race.
City comes into the top-of-the-table clash off the back of wins in its last four games, with just two goals conceded. Most recently, it was Adelaide United that the City girls were able to put to the sword.
In that Saturday evening clash, Adelaide contested the game well and looked the better side at several stages of the encounter, but City’s defence held out until Rhianna Pollicina – comfortably City’s best on the day – popped up to net a classy winner in the 66th minute.
Whilst Rado Vidosic’s side covered for the temporary loss of defender Winonah Heatley by securing a clean sheet against an inspired Reds outfit, the team felt the absence of striker Holly McNamara, who will again be unavailable for Saturday’s clash with Sydney FC as she travels with the Matildas for the Asian Cup.
Sydney has been in frightening form this season, having not conceded in over nine hours of play whilst scoring at a rate of 3.3 goals per game.
The league leaders flexed their dominance again last round, thrashing Canberra United in a 6-0 win at home, despite not having star attackers Remy Siemsen and Cortnee Vine who are also away with the Matildas.
Thus, this fixture looms as a blockbuster clash between the league’s top two attacking and defensive units in which the game could be won with intelligent tactical moves.
In City’s case, this means shutting down Sydney FC midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby, who has amassed an incredible five goals and six assists in seven appearances, whilst also compensating for the continued absence of Holly McNamara’s livewire presence in the final third.
Match Details
Liberty A-League: Round 8
Sydney FC vs Melbourne City FC
Saturday 22 January, kick-off 5:05pm
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
