Perth is set for an attacking masterclass on February 1st when the potent forward lines of Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory square off at HBF Park.
The Victorians will enter this weekend’s match on a high after sending shockwaves through Asian football on Tuesday by knocking Japanese powerhouse club Kashima Antlers out of the AFC Champions League.
Andrew Nabbout grabbed the only goal of the game for Carlos Salvachua’s side in Japan and the 27-year-old is just one member of a high-profile Victory attack which also features Swedish marquee Ola Toivonen, veteran Socceroo Robbie Kruse and newly-signed New Zealander Marco Rojas.
Nabbout, Kruse and Toivonen made a combined 10 appearances between them at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with Toivonen scoring a memorable goal against Germany during the group stages.
The big Swede boasts a remarkable scoring record in the Hyundai A-League, having found the back of the net 22 times in just 34 appearances and he has been handed the captain’s armband for what is his second season in the competition.
Despite their star-studded frontline, however, the navy-and-whites have endured a tough campaign so far and are currently sitting eighth on the Hyundai A-league ladder.
Glory, in contrast, are on a hot run of seven matches undefeated which includes four consecutive clean sheets in the club’s last four matches.
The WA side’s own strikeforce of Bruno Fornaroli, Diego Castro, Joel Chianese and Chris Ikonomidis has tormented defences around the country, scoring 18 goals in just six matches ahead of last week’s 0-0 draw with Melbourne City.
Fornaroli has been in particularly stunning form, scoring six goals in his last seven games and the Uruguayan also boasts an impressive record against Victory having netted five times in his nine appearances against them.
Staying on the subject of goal-based facts, Victory’s Robbie Kruse, who scored the only goal in his side’s Round 8 win over Glory at AAMI Park, has found the net in each of his five appearances against the men in purple and not been on the losing side in any of those games.
Saturday’s Round 17 clash at HBF Park (kick-off at 6.45pm) is shaping up to be an absolute blockbuster as some of the best attacking talent in the country goes head-to-head in a high-stakes shoot-out.
So make sure you don’t miss any of the action – book your tickets HERE.
#OneGlory
