Melbourne Victory vs Western Sydney Wanderers Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Melbourne Victory are trying to push towards the top end of the table but have underperformed of late as they now take on the A League’s entertainers, the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Kick-off date/time: Saturday 4th January, 2025: UK – 8:35am / US ET – 3:35am / US PT – 12:35am

How to watch on TV/online: UK – YouTube / US – ESPN / Australia – Paramount+

Melbourne Victory Team News: Machach suspension

Zach Machach remains missing through suspension for the Melbourne Victory last weekend but they have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues from their midweek clash so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven for this one.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Duncan; Geria, Hamill, Roderick, Traore; Teague, Valadon; Arzani, Piscopo, Bos; Fornaroli

Unavailable: Machach (Suspended)

Questionable: 

Western Sydney Wanderers Team News: Scicluna injury

Key central midfielder Dylan Scicluna suffered an ACL injury last weekend and he will now be unavailable for the rest of this season and potentially a large chunk of next season. Dean Pelekanos is also missing through suspension after being sent off in midweek.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Thomas; Cameron, Simmons, Bonetig, Clisby; Juan Mata, Brillante, Moncrieff Priestman, Kraev; Antonsson, Sapsford

Unavailable: Pelekanos (Suspended), Jeong (Injured), Scicluna (Injured)

Questionable: 

Melbourne Victory vs Western Sydney Wanderers Prediction

As mentioned, Melbourne Victory are still pushing towards the top end of the table and they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures in the top four of the 13-team table but the Victorians have collected just two points from their last three matches, most recently sharing a goalless draw with league leaders Auckland in New Zealand during the week. They now face a Western Sydney Wanderers side that have been entertaining to watch in each of the last few seasons with the visitors’ ten matches consisting of 44 goals this year and both teams scoring looks a good bet for this one.

Melbourne Victory vs Western Sydney Wanderers Tip: Both teams to score