Sydney FC goalkeeper Danny Vukovic says Victory will through every at the Sky Blues

A “hungry” Victory will throw everything at Sydney FC in their top-of-the-table clash, according to the player who knows Victory better than anyone.

A “hungry” Melbourne Victory will throw everything at Sydney FC in their Australia Day top-of-the-table clash, according to the player in Sky Blue who knows Victory better than anyone.

Goalkeeper Danny Vukovic will be in the visiting goal at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne a year to the day after facing Sydney in Victory’s colours, in a game that could strangle Victory’s dwindling hopes of catching Sydney at the summit.

The Sky Blues sit eight points clear after Victory’s calamitous week in which they lost in both Wellington and Perth — meaning they have to defeat Sydney on Thursday or face a close-to-insurmountable gap with the leaders.

Not surprisingly, Vukovic predicted that Kevin Muscat’s side would attack Sydney — but driven as much by the tumultuous nature of the Big Blue history as by the must-win nature of the game.

Danny Vukovic knows Victory will throw everything at Sydney FC. pic Mark Evans

“From our perspective, we’ll just try to go about our business and pick up points in every game,” he said. “But Victory will be hungry to win the game — their last couple of results haven’t been the greatest, but they’ll come at us almost irrespective of the league table.

“They’ll be hungry because they’re playing us, and it’s always a big game, a big rivalry.

“I experienced the atmosphere at Etihad Stadium last year on Australia Day and it was amazing. Hopefully a lot of our fans will travel, because I know they’re hugely excited by the prospect of this game.

“No doubt we’ll have a few tough days of training to prepare because we know what a demanding game will be against a quality side.

“But I’ve never experienced anything like what we have done so far this season, I’m not sure there has been a season like this in the A-League.

“It’s important for us to stay grounded, to focus only on playing Victory, and then when we win to turn our attention to the next game.”

Sydney face more upheaval in defence, with right back Rhyan Grant now suspended after accruing five yellow cards.

Rhyan Grant is suspended after receiving five yellow cards.

It’s likely that Aaron Calver, who has filled in at centreback for the past two games after returning from a serious injury, will switch to right back, with Dutch signing Jordy Buijs coming into the centre of defence despite not playing since September.

But despite the series of changes to personnel in Sydney’s defence since Matt Jurman’s transfer to Korea, Vukovic said the basic solidity remained a keystone of Sydney’s performances.

“I’ve had a really easy job because everyone in the back four has had a very clear idea of their jobs,” Vukovic said.

“We have a lot of experience there talking the younger players through it, and if Jordy comes in it will be the same. He comes with a wealth of experience and from what I’ve seen of him in training so far he looks very tidy.

“He’s very good on the ball, he doesn’t want to hit it long but pass it into midfield which is very much our style and the way we like to play.”

Originally published as Sydney FC goalkeeper Danny Vukovic says Victory will through every at the Sky Blues