Perth Glory face test to keep streak alive against Melbourne Victory

Glory coach Tony Popovic concedes it will be tricky to keep his side’s run of clean sheets alive against Victory’s star-studded attack.

Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic salutes fans. Picture: AAP

Perth Glory are on the verge of setting another club record but coach Tony Popovic concedes it will be tricky to pull it off against Melbourne Victory’s star-studded attack.

Glory set a new club benchmark two weeks ago when they posted six wins on the trot for the first time in their A-League history.

Last week’s 0-0 draw against Melbourne City snapped that winning run, but it kept the club’s streak of clean sheets alive.

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Glory have now gone four matches without conceding a goal.

If they can keep a clean sheet against Victory at HBF Park on Saturday night, it will set a new club record.

Victory are languishing in eighth spot on the ladder following three consecutive A-League defeats.

But their 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers in Japan on Tuesday not only sealed Victory a spot in the Asian Champions League, but also raised morale at the club. The return of club favourite Marco Rojas on a two-and-a-half year deal has also lifted spirits, with the New Zealand international named to make his A-League return against Perth.

Victory don’t lack creativity in their attacking third, with Andrew Nabbout, Ola Toivonen, and Robbie Kruse all capable of causing havoc.

The addition of Rojas only adds to that potency, and Popovic said his side will be tested in their bid to keep another clean sheet.

“We know it will be a tough test against them,” Popovic said. “They’ve had some changes – the coaching change – but on paper they’re still very strong, especially in that front third.” Glory will be without Juande (groin) for a fourth straight match, but Chris Ikonomidis (knee) is a chance to return.

New recruit Tarek Elrich has been included in the squad.

Victory will be without the suspended Leigh Broxham, but welcome back James Donachie.

The club’s qualification for the ACL means their fixture schedule is set to become hectic, and stand-in coach Carlos Perez Salvachua says he will need to carefully monitor his players.

“We arrived (back in Melbourne) 24 hours ago and now we are flying in one hour to Perth,” Salvachua said on Friday morning.

“We know it’s a big risk now in this moment because some players are playing all the games, and we have to manage if it’s possible the minutes.”

AAP