Match result:
Melbourne Victory were denied an important win on Saturday night as an 89th minute goal from Brendan Santalab saw the Western Sydney Wanderers steal a draw.
REPORT: SANTALAB STRIKE SECURES DRAW
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Victory had lead since the sixteenth minute after a goal from Besart Berisha, but couldn’t hold on to the lead long enough to record a win that could have sent them up the table.
The match leaves the Wanderers tied on points for top spot with the Brisbane Roar, and Victory still in the pack of teams chasing the two league-leaders.
Final score
Melbourne Victory 1
Western Sydney Wanderers 1
Match preview:
Melbourne Victory will be desperate to make up some points on the Western Sydney Wanderers when they host them at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores from the match, starting at 7:30pm AEDT.
Victory are currently two wins behind the Wanderers with ten matches left to play in the season making this a crucial match for their chances of winning the championship two years in a row.
Currently in fifth, they’re part of a pack of five teams all chasing the Wanderers, with the Brisbane Roar closest in second.
A win tonight would not only see Victory keep pace with their fellow top six teams but would also keep the Wanderers pointless for a week and likely allow the Brisbane Roar to take top spot.
That said, a loss could prove disastrous, as it would leave them level on points with sixth-placed Adelaide United, at risk of being overtaken in the weeks to come.
The Wanderers on the other hand will also be desperately wanting to win to keep themselves on the top of the ladder in the event of a likely Brisbane victory over the Central Coast Mariners earlier today.
That win would see the Roar temporarily overtake the Wanderers on top of the ladder leaving Western Sydney in need of a draw to share the lead or a win to own it outright.
It’s going to be a big ask for the Wanderers to pull that off because they haven’t beaten Victory in Melbourne in nearly three years and have only one win from their last five against them.
Of course, that win was in the most recent match between the two, a 2-0 result at Pirtek Stadium.
Prediction: A draw will leave the Wanderers tied at the top. 1-1.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match, starting at 7:30pm AEDT.