Melbourne City are set to play at AAMI Park for the first time in 2023 this Saturday night when it hosts Western United.
City are coming off a hard-fought three points on the road against Wellington Phoenix on Monday, with a Jamie Maclaren double leading the way to a 3-1 victory.
Here’s a few things to keep an eye on when your City boys return to the pitch this Saturday!
Maclaren’s precision from the spot
Once again the runaway Golden Boot leader, Jamie Maclaren has enjoyed a memorable start to the 2022/23 season, netting 12 goals in 9 games on his way to breaking the A-Leagues record for consecutive scoring games.
Maclaren’s precision from the penalty spot is continues a key weapon in his arsenal, with City’s number 9 already scoring six times from the spot in his seven attempts.
Maclaren’s coolness and composure from the spot has been essential to City’s success this season.
It also goes to show the amount of threat City is posing in opposition penalty boxes, given Maclaren has already attempted more than double amount of spot kicks he had last season (3).
City attack on fire
Boasting a four-point buffer over the second placed Western Sydney Wanderers with a game still in hand, City has been one of the most dangerous outfits in front of goal this season across the A-League Men.
City has scored the second most goals of any team this season, with their impressive tally of 19 goals second only to the Mariners (20) who have played an extra game.
Led by Jamie Maclaren (12 goals), City has scored in each of its last 11 competitive fixtures, consistently leaving defenders scratching their heads at just how to contain its potent attack.
This Saturday it’ll face a Western United team that has conceded the most goals of any in the competition (19), a stark contrast to City’s cross-town rivals impressive defence throughout last season.
Unchanged line-up once again?
Why mess with a winning recipe?
City’s hot start to the season has meant Rado Vidosic has had to change very little on gameday, sticking with the same starting XI for the past three matchdays.
That trend could be forced to change on Saturday however, with centre-back Curtis Good under an injury cloud after he failed to take to the pitch in the second half against Wellington.
Should Good not be cleared in time to take on Western, his replacement on Monday, Nuno Reis, would firm as the likely candidate to step in once again.
