In a repeat of 2022’s A-League Grand Final, Melbourne City will host Western United at AAMI Park on Saturday for the second leg of their semi-final, as both clubs fight for a chance at the crown.
City are in drivers’ seat after a 3-0 win in the first leg, and United have a mountain to climb if they are to claw their way back into the tie.
Match preview
Aurelio Vidmar‘s Melbourne City enjoyed a strong campaign during the regular season, qualifying for the semi-finals by finishing second, and they will be confident of setting up a showdown in the Grand Final.
Three different goalscorers earned City their 3-0 win in the first leg, with German Ferreyra setting the tone after just 16 minutes, before Yonatan Cohen and Mathew Leckie netted twice in the second half.
That being said, Vidmar’s side were by no means the dominant force last Friday, and given that both teams were just one shot apart, had four efforts on target and shared possession equally, Hearts are unlikely to be complacent despite their lead.
However, Saturday’s hosts have performed exceptionally well on their own turf this year, and after eight wins, one draw and one loss from their last 10 at AAMI Park, they will be feeling self-assured about their chances of progression.
A win this weekend for Melbourne City would potentially enable a derby-day clash next week against Melbourne Victory, while also allowing them to take revenge on their opponents for beating them in the 2022 Grand Final.
Meanwhile, John Aloisi‘s Western Utd are in turmoil off the pitch as their players engage in a pay dispute with the club, and on the pitch given their heavy defeat in the first leg.
This weekend’s visitors finished third in the regular season, just one point shy of their second-placed opponents, and made it to the semi-finals by beating Adelaide United 3-2 thanks to an impressive hat-trick from 23-year-old Noah Botic.
The manager would have been pleased with the way that his men came from behind to reach this stage, but he will be disappointed to see his team fail to score despite being competitive last Friday, ruing the poor finishing on display.
Playing on the road on Saturday, Western could be disheartened by the fact that they have lost back-to-back away games ahead of the second leg, though they did score three or more goals in three of the prior four matches, and Aloisi will be keen to remind his players of that.
Triumphing this weekend would require a remarkable victory for United, but a four-goal swing could give the visitors a chance at what would be just the second major honour for the club.
Team News
Having scored as well as kept a clean sheet in the first leg, centre-back German Ferreyra should start alongside Kai Trewin at the heart of Vidmar’s defence this weekend.
In the centre of the park, Alessandro Lope is likely to feature in a partnership with Zane Schreiber at the base of midfield, while Andreas Kuen operates just behind the frontmen.
Up top, striker Max Caputo will be joined by Marco Tillo and Yonatan Cohen, who also netted in last week’s clash, out wide.
As for Western Utd, the Elimination Finals’ hat-trick hero Noah Botic started on the bench in the first leg, but he could come into the XI on Saturday, with Hiroshi Ibusuki making way.
On the flanks, Matthew Grimaldi and Riku Danzaki will aim to provide support for the strike partnership, while full-backs Tate Russell and Ben Garuccio offer overlapping runs.
In the backline, centre-halves Tomiki Imai and Dylan Leonard will be desperate to avoid conceding any more goals and adding to their side’s workload, and midfielders Rhys Bozinovski and Angus Theate will shield the duo.
Melbourne City possible starting lineup:
Beach; Talbot, Ferreyra, Trewin, Behich; Lopane, Schreiber; Cohen, Kuen, Tilio; Caputo
Western United possible starting lineup:
Sutton; Russell, Imai, Leonard, Garuccio; Grimaldi, Bozinovski, Thurgate, Danzaki; Ruhs, Botic
We say: Melbourne City 1-1 Western United
City’s first-leg advantage speaks for itself, and having won eight of their last 10 at home, they will be confident of another victory this weekend.
However, Western have a tendency to score a high number of goals on the road, and they are likely to be on the scoresheet this time around.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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