The opening A-League fixture of 2023 for both Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar takes place at an empty AAMI Field this Thursday.
Both sides have struggled to an extent so far this season, sitting outside the playoff places.
Match preview
Victory have had a torrid time of late, as Tony Popovic's side have lost both of their league encounters since the Melbourne Derby was abandoned under an ugly cloud following riots from their supporters.
Defeats to 10-man Western United and Central Coast Mariners mean they are just one place off the bottom, having picked up only 10 points in their nine games so far.
However, with the league being so tight in the early stages, they are still only three points off the playoffs.
The repercussions from the unsavoury scenes seen during their clash with local rivals Melbourne City could be costly though, as they are expected to receive a 3-0 defeat as well as points deductions, with A-League officials looking to stamp down hard.
The club has been blocked from selling tickets for games at AAMI Field, meaning there will be no supporters in attendance for this fixture, and their fans are not permitted entry to away games for the upcoming weeks either.
Further punishments are set to come, including a possible points deduction as well as heavy fines.
Brisbane, meanwhile, have enjoyed steadier form, but also find themselves outside that top six as the midway point of the regular season approaches.
They are seven games unbeaten, but five of those were low-scoring draws, including their last encounter which saw them draw 1-1 with Western United.
That result just before the New Year left Brisbane outside the playoffs by a point after a third 1-1 draw in four matches.
They remain the only side in the A-League to still be in single figures for both goals scored and conceded, so while their defensive solidity has earned them plenty of draws, they need to find a clinical edge in attack to turn those draws into victories.
There have been two goals or fewer in all but one of their matches this season, so expect another cagey affair here.
Team News
Matthew Spiranovic made a long-awaited comeback for Victory in their last fixture, returning in defence after a seven-month layoff.
Goalkeeper Paul Izzo is out with a thumb injury, so Matt Acton should deputise in his place once again.
Veteran former Portuguese international Nani will look to spearhead their attack and get their season back on track.
Charlie Austin has left Brisbane in the past week and joined Swindon Town back in his native England.
That has led to a number of different players being used in attacking positions to fill the void left by Austin since his last appearance in mid-December.
Joe Knowles, Rahmat Akbari, Nikola Mileusnic and Carlo Armiento have all been deployed in different attacking setups, as manager Warren Moon has yet to settle on a preferred option just yet.
Melbourne Victory possible starting lineup:
Acton; Geria, Spiranovic, Broxham; Ikonomidis, Wilson, Rai, Brimmer, Cadete; Nani, Folami
Brisbane Roar possible starting lineup:
Holmes; Hingert, Neville, Aldred, Courtney-Perkins; O'Shea, Trewin, Chapman; Knowles, Mileusnic, Armiento
We say: Melbourne Victory 1-1 Brisbane Roar
Victory will be thankful just to stop the losing run as they slip further towards the bottom, and the empty stadium means home advantage may be lost.
Brisbane have been the draw specialists, and in another close-looking encounter, it is hard to see past yet another 1-1.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
