Saturday’s A-League 2016 Round 6 match is between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers. The opening kick off is set to commence at 19:52 local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. The home team Melbourne Victory are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Victory striker Besart Berisha (pictured above) is on track to get Australian citizenship on Australia Day.
But don’t get too excited because despite having played for Albania 17 times, he won’t be available for Socceroos selection.
However, Berisha’s citizenship would benefit Victory allowing the club to chase a guest marquee for the last three months of the season.
Nicholas Martinez got his first goal in Wanderers colours against the Glory. He’s a great fit for Tony Popovic’s side with beautiful feet combined with football intelligence.
He’ll be a key figure for the Wanderers and will only improve with each game.
The Wanderers will be concerned that despite dominating matches so far this season (except the Sydney derby), they’ve drawn their last three and sit mid table in 6th.
They need to convert that dominance into goals and wins especially during periods of the match where they’ve taken the lead and look comfortable.
KEY BATTLE: Besart Berisha v Andrew Redmayne
Wanderers stopper Redmayne (pictured above) has conceded some soft goals this season and won’t be looking forward to facing a red hot Berisha who already has four goals this season.
The Albanian missed a penalty against Sydney last week so he’ll look to unleash his frustration on Redmayne’s goal.
These two sides are closely matched and I expect that to be reflected in the scoreline.
Unibet Odds: Melbourne Victory 2.08 Draw 3.60 Western Sydney 3.45
Tip: Melbourne Victory
Teams:
Melbourne Victory squad: 2.Jason GERIA, 4.Nick ANSELL, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Besart BERISHA, 10.James TROISI, 11.Mitch AUSTIN, 13.Oliver BOZANIC, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 15.Alan BARO, 16.Rashid MAHAZI, 17.James DONACHIE, 19.George HOWARD, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22.Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 27.Alastair BRAY (gk).
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 3.Jack CLISBY, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 7.Steve LUSTICA, 8.Dimas (c), 9.Kerem BULUT, 10.Nicolás MARTÍNEZ, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Bruno PIÑATARES, 14.Jumpei KUSUKAMI, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.Artiz BORDA, 18.Robbie CORNTHWAITE, 20.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS.