Both sides will be out to atone for frustrating losses last time out that proved costly on the ladder.
Second-placed Adelaide United increased their advantage over third-placed Melbourne Victory with a 4-2 win at Hindmarsh Stadium, while Brisbane Roar missed the chance to climb to fourth following a 1-0 loss at Western Sydney Wanderers and instead slipped to ninth, equal on points with bottom-placed Sydney FC.
Victory, however, have been one of the form teams of the competition since their humiliating defeat at the hands of Brisbane in Round 2, with five wins in eight matches establishing Ange Postecoglou's men as genuine title contenders in his first season at AAMI Park.
Second-placed Adelaide United increased their advantage over third-placed Melbourne Victory with a 4-2 win at Hindmarsh Stadium, while Brisbane Roar missed the chance to climb to fourth following a 1-0 loss at Western Sydney Wanderers and instead slipped to ninth, equal on points with bottom-placed Sydney FC.
Victory, however, have been one of the form teams of the competition since their humiliating defeat at the hands of Brisbane in Round 2, with five wins in eight matches establishing Ange Postecoglou's men as genuine title contenders in his first season at AAMI Park.
Roar, on the other hand, have lost five matches since dismantling Victory at Suncorp Stadium to leave the defending champions reeling towards the bottom of the ladder. But coach Rado Vidosic believes Brisbane have been unlucky since he took over from Postecoglou and is confident the side will improve.
The Big Issue
Melbourne Victory - Victory urgently need to solve their problems in defence, where they have conceded an alarming 20 goals this campaign. For all the goals they score, their goal difference is still in the negative. Only last-placed Sydney has conceded more.
There was no better example of Victory's defensive issues than Friday night's loss in the city of churches. Within half an hour, the Victory had conceded four goals, and each to fundamental defensive mistakes.
Brisbane Roar - Vidosic's men have been reduced to a shadow of the side that won the past two grand finals and seem to have lost the belief and desire that fuelled their success under Postecoglou.
Thankfully for Brisbane, they remain just two points outside the top six and you get the best they're not far away from recapturing their brilliance.
Date: Saturday 15 December, 2012
Kick-off: 5.30pm AEDT, 5.30pm local
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 5.30pm AEDT, 5.30pm local
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
