Preview: Melbourne City vs. Macarthur - prediction, team news, lineups

The current A-League leaders have lost just once throughout this season, but they are also without a win in their previous three outings.

Match preview

Melbourne City might have been dominant throughout this campaign, but after three consecutive draws, there will be a little pressure on the team in front of their home fans this weekend to get back to winning ways.

Caretaker boss Rado Vidosic witnessed his team battle through a six-goal classic last weekend against Adelaide United, with a first half to forget after conceding three times in the space of 42 minutes.

Melbourne City will ultimately have considered themselves lucky to have taken a point though considering their equaliser did not happen until Jamie Maclaren's 92d-minute penalty.

The point helped to keep a five-point gap between them and their nearest challengers though, but while that is a healthy distance it is something that the Hearts want to increase.

Melbourne City are undefeated at home throughout this season, having made their ground a true fortress which could be the perfect platform to get their season back on track.

However, the visitors will not be heading into this game without belief even though they are three matches without a win themselves.

Macarthur are currently sixth in the table and have proven themselves capable of providing a test to any team that they face, which will be the case again this weekend.

While Melbourne City were celebrating a last-minute equaliser in their last game, Macarthur were on the other side of that when Nicolas Milanovic scored an 89th-minute goal to rescue a point for Western United.

The situation was an even tougher pill to swallow considering the fact that Kearyn Baccus had been sent off early on in the second half, which led to Mile Sterjovski's team battling through most of it with just 10 men.

Despite the frustrations, the performance and result was a positive sign after consecutive defeats which is something that they can now build on heading into this match.

Melbourne City Australian A-League form:

W

W

W

D

D

D

Macarthur Australian A-League form:

W

L

W

L

L

D

Team News

Melbourne City allowed Taras Gomulka to leave the club via a mutual contract termination in midweek which takes him out of the options available heading into this one.

Maclaren will be hoping to continue his momentum from scoring last week, with his last-minute goal likely feeling like a winner even though it resulted in a draw.

Andrew Nabbout was once again used as a substitute in the dramatic draw against Adelaide United, as he continues to prove his importance as a squad player, which will likely continue to be the trend this time.

Baccus will be missing for the visitors this weekend due to being suspended, and that will result in at least one change to the heart of Macarthur's midfield.

Moudi Najjar could be the man to slot into that available role for this game, providing him a chance to nail down that position.

Melbourne City possible starting lineup:

Glover; Galloway, Lam, Good, Jamieson; O'Neill; Tilio, Van der Venne, Berisha, Leckie; Maclaren

Macarthur possible starting lineup:

Kurto; Vujica, Aspropotamitis, Uskok, Millar; M'Mombwa, Najjar; Toure, Davila, Noone; Arzani

We say: Melbourne City 2-0 Macarthur

Melbourne City might be without a win in their previous three matches, but competing against another team in poor form recently could be the ideal way to change that.

Considering the fact that the league leaders are undefeated at home, this should result in three points for them.

Previews by email