Melbourne Victory play host to Perth Glory on Sunday with the opportunity to move ahead of their opponents in the A-League standings.
That is despite the seventh-placed visitors being four spots ahead of their hosts, highlighting the competitiveness in the bottom half of Australian football's showpiece league.
Match preview
Heading into the derby last time out, it is fair to say that Melbourne Victory had found some form to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.
Thirteen points from eight matches was a more than respectful return for a team that had failed to win their previous six, yet it remains to be seen whether losing to rivals Melbourne City has halted their momentum.
Their more illustrious neighbours had the better of the game before Victory netted an 89th-minute consolation to lose 2-1 to the league leaders.
Still, Tony Popovic will look at the bigger picture and feel like his team remain on an upward trajectory, particularly at home when they have won three of their last five outings.
Victory have also scored in all but one of their last 12 games, something which will not be lost on their opponents on Sunday.
After a poor start to the season, Perth Glory have been playing catch-up, but they deserve respect for putting themselves into a position where they will sense a charge at the top four.
Although they have only won two of their last nine matches, they have each been posted since March 10, albeit in front of their own supporters.
Glory remain with the worst away record in the division, their solitary triumph in 11 fixtures coming all the way back on October 23 at Central Coast Mariners.
Nevertheless, Ruben Zadkovich will be satisfied with how his team are progressing, with a maximum return at the weekend moving the club into sixth place.
Team News
Popovic tinkered with his side for the derby showdown with Melbourne City and the move did not pay off, throwing up the possibility of reverting back to a similar team which started the win over Wellington Phoenix.
That would see Leigh Broxham return in midfield to replace Stefan Nigro, but Fernando Romero will start down the middle of the attack having recently served a ban.
Glory will be forced into at least one change with Aaron McEneff needing to be withdrawn during the early stages of the win over Macarthur FC.
Luke Bodnar looks most likely to take his spot in midfield, while Jacob Dowse will feel that he deserves a recall having supplied the assist for the winner in the previous game having been introduced as a substitute.
Jordan Elsey remains suspended, while a number of players who have recently spent time on the sidelines are expected to stay absent.
Melbourne Victory possible starting lineup:
Izzo; Chapman, Miranda, Da Silva, Cadete; Folami, Broxham, Brillante, Ikonomidis; Romero, Fornaroli
Perth Glory possible starting lineup:
Cook; Muir, Beevers, Lachman; Bodnar; Ostler, Amini, Jelacic, Clisby; Williams, Taggart
We say: Melbourne Victory 1-2 Perth Glory
Given their contrasting home and away records, Victory will be confident of earning an important three points. However, we are backing the visitors to continue their recent improved form, moving them towards the top five in the process.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
