Melbourne City FC will travel to Campbelltown Stadium for just the second time ever as the team prepares to face Macarthur FC in Saturday night A-League Men action.
The last time the two sides met there was the only occasion that City has dropped points in its four previous meetings with Macarthur, with that clash in April last year ending 1-1.
Here’s what to watch for when the teams go head-to-head on Saturday:
Return of the Mac!
We can once again trot out the famous line as Jamie Maclaren returns to the matchday squad following his time away on national team duties.
Though the team fared well enough in his absence, picking up a vital three points against Brisbane Roar midweek, fans will be ecstatic to regain the A-League Men’s leading goalscorer for our upcoming clash against Macarthur.
In the Bulls’ brief history, no player has scored more goals against them than Maclaren’s three, one for each time he’s played Macarthur, so fans will be hoping that goal-a-game record extends with another one on Saturday to help us to a vital three points.
How will our youngsters fare this time around
Though the starting XI will likely be bolstered by the return of Jamie Maclaren – and perhaps even Carl Jenkinson after he was rested midweek – youth will again be a significant factor when Patrick Kisnorbo names his lineup to face Macarthur.
In Connor Metcalfe’s absence in midfield, Taras Gomulka stands a strong chance of seeing a second-consecutive start alongside Aiden O’Neill, whilst one of Kerrin Stokes or Jordon Hall will continue to deputise for Nuno Reis whilst the Portuguese defender isolates with COVID-19.
Other than that, the progress of Scott Jamieson’s recovery from a back injury sustained in the Melbourne Derby and Maclaren’s return to the front three makes it unclear which of Jordan Bos, Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Stefan Colakovski will be required to front up again on Saturday night, but all should be prepared to give it their all as the team hunts down another crucial three points away from home.
City’s interstate fortunes to continue
If you weren’t already convinced the last time we brought it up, hopefully Wednesday’s away win against Brisbane Roar has convinced you that there actually is something in City’s fortunes interstate vs. playing at AAMI.
The midweek victory has seen our interstate record move to five wins and two draws for a total of 17 points – just three short of our tally at AAMI in six fewer games.
Between this recent trend and City’s undefeated record against Macarthur FC, fans have every reason to be optimistic of another massive three points on Saturday as we hunt down a second-consecutive league title.
