Preview: Melbourne Victory vs. Brisbane Roar - prediction, team news, lineups

While the campaign will continue with the finals series, neither club will be part of it and this fixture will be focused on them avoiding finishing 12th.

Match preview

Melbourne Victory might be sat just two places and points above the bottom of the league they do head into this weekend on the back of a victory.

The win they picked up last weekend was a crucial one as they defeated Macarthur 2-1 with a Lleyton Brooks scoring a crucial 94th-minute goal to earn the three points.

That result allowed them to lift off the foot of the table, overtaking Macarthur in the process and giving themselves the chance of not finishing bottom.

A defeat or a draw could see them slip back into that position though, and that is something that they will be pushing to avoid.

Melbourne Victory do boast one of the best home defenses this season and tapping into that on Saturday could be a crucial situation to provide the difference.

The visitors are one place behind their opponents and with just a point between them and Macarthur there is even more pressure on them heading into this one.

Brisbane Roar have had a difficult season when it comes to consistency, with six wins, nine draws, and 10 defeats to this point.

After two games without a defeat the Lions went back to losing ways last weekend with a 2-0 loss against Sydney FC which they will now be hoping to respond against straight away.

Away from home Brisbane Roar have only won twice all season and a big problem for the team has been finding the back of the net in those games.

Considering the strong defensive displays their opponents have put on at home this season that could prove to be a major challenge on Saturday.

Melbourne Victory Australian A-League form:

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Brisbane Roar Australian A-League form:

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Team News

Melbourne Victory will be able to benefit from Roderick Miranda being an option once again as he is now available following suspension.

Opportunities have also been handed to Joshua Inserra and Jordi Valadon as the academy players have been named in the matchday squad for this weekend.

The visitors are likely to have Stefan Scepovic work as the lead striker in this game and his attacking qualities could prove to be crucial in this match.

Taras Gomulka is also set to have an important role in the match as the defensive midfielder screening the back four as he has been doing recently.

Melbourne Victory possible starting lineup:

Izzo; Nigro, Da Silva, Broxham, Cadete; Folami, Chapman, Rai, Velupillay; Romero, Fornaroli

Brisbane Roar possible starting lineup:

Holmes; Hingert, Neville, Aldred, Courtney-Perkins; Hore, Trewin, Gomulka, Lofthouse; O'Shea, Scepovic

We say: Melbourne Victory 1-1 Brisbane Roar

Neither team will want to finish the season bottom of the league and that is likely going to create a cagey atmosphere here that could lead to them sharing the points.

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