A second trip to Melbourne in as many weeks is the task for Canberra United this week as the side takes on Melbourne City in a must win clash to play finals football this season.
Following on from a dominant three-goal win over Western United, a magnificent return after a 5-0 loss at home in the previous fixture, and the just return of three points that had previously been deducted from the 2-1 win over Sydney FC, Canberra heads into this fixture full of confidence.
With sixth-place Perth having lost to Sydney on Wednesday evening, the equation is simple for Canberra. Win over City, and finals football is guaranteed regardless of other results.
A draw would not spell the end of the season as well, assuming other results fall in favour of Canberra. If the fourth-placed Melbourne Victory are to fall to Wellington Phoenix on Saturday Morning at Sky Stadium, then a point would be enough.
Two months ago and finals football was looking like a long shot for Canberra, having suffered two successive five-nil defeats, with the latter against Western United being labelled as the club’s apparent “darkest day”.
Since then, Canberra have been in some incredible form with five wins and two draws in the last seven, picking up 17 points from a possible 21.
Another trend throughout this current season has Canberra scoring early. On four occasions the side has scored inside the first five minutes, and have gone on to win all these games.
While the previous result this season was a four-goal defeat for Canberra, that counts for little as was proven last week.
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday 2 April
Melbourne City v Canberra United
(AAMI Park, 17:40)
Live streaming on 10Play and Paramount+
