Melbourne City FC will return to A-League Men action on Wednesday night when it faces Perth Glory away from home.
With just two games remaining this season, City is within touching distance of a second consecutive Premiers Plate, able to achieve that feat with back-to-back wins.
Here’s what you should be keeping an eye out for come Wednesday night.
A huge night, in more ways than one
Not only does Wednesday mark City’s first A-League Men fixture in just under a month, it could also be a night that sees the Premiership decided.
Western United currently sits in third and will face Newcastle away in the earlier fixture.
A Western loss or draw and a City win would see us crowned Premiers by the end of the night, with one game still remaining in the season.
Melbourne Victory does sit ahead of Western in second, but having played one more game, a City win on Wednesday would see Victory out of the Premiership race.
A big chance for another away win
It’s been a challenging season for Perth, with the West Australian squad sitting at the foot of the ladder after having spent a large part of the season on the road due to COVID restrictions in their home state.
Glory comes into Wednesday’s fixture winless in 16 matches, but most recently fought hard to come away with a 1-1 draw to the Wanderers over the weekend with former City striker Bruno Fornaroli on the scoresheet.
City’s form outside of Victoria has been exceptional this season, undefeated when travelling interstate and currently having won seven in a row. Along with this, City has also taken the three points on both of its last two trips to Perth to face the Glory.
Golden Boot race on a knifes edge
It’s likely not news to you that Jamie Maclaren has won the last two A-League Men Golden Boots, and there’s every chance that in a week’s time that could be three.
Maclaren currently sits on 15 league goals, one ahead of Newcastle’s Beka Mikeldatze, with both attackers having two games to go in their season.
Perth away was a memorable fixture for our number nine last campaign, Maclaren netting twice, his 100th and 101st A-Leagues goals leading City to a comfortable 1-3 win away from home.
After two goals in his last three ACL matches, City fans will no doubt be hoping to see Maclaren on the scoresheet again to not only put his best foot forward in the Golden Boot race, but also for the team in the race for the Premiership.
