Debutant German loanee Maxi Beister arrived in Melbourne eight days ago from FSV Mainz 05 and is still lacking match fitness.

Captain Carl Valeri, who missed Monday night’s Melbourne Cup eve clash against Wellington Phoenix with a hamstring injury, has also been omitted with Rashid Mahazi and Leigh Broxham in strong contention.

The Victory boss said he had “no hesitation” in starting youngster Stefan Nigro in place of recognised left-back Daniel Georgievski who suffered a broken collarbone against Wellington.

It is unclear whether James Troisi (collarbone) will start after returning against the Nix.

Muscat said he was not interested in what Sydney mentor Graham Arnold had to offer as the Sky Blues maintain a 100 % winning record with no goals conceded.

"When you are top of the league you can say what you want and everyone else has got to listen,” Muscat said.

“Make no mistake, we will go across there without any fear, we always maintain the belief in what we are trying to do. Sometimes results can be perceived as a knock on confidence or belief, but all in all the playing group have maintained that belief.

“We’ve done well in Sydney in performances during my time.

“This is our third trip in four rounds out of Melbourne, Sydney have left New South Wales once, so it’ll work itself in time, but at this point in time they’ve performed very well.”

Muscat said it might be time Sydney conceded a goal after Victory downed Wellington 6-1 in comprehensive fashion.

And with confidence growing, the Victory boss responded to claims the smashing was not a true reflection of the game after exposing an outnumbered Phoenix for the final 20 minutes.

“I don’t agree with it (undeserving) it could have been more,” he said.

“Under the circumstances of the Cup defeat it was a good performance from us and we got what we thoroughly deserved. It could have been more, and if it was I don't think there could have been any complaints.

“(Now) we are going to the top of the table team who haven't conceded a goal, they are title favourites, FFA Cup favourites, you name it, but we still go there with no fear.”

Victory is undefeated in its last nine games against the Sky Blues, however, Muscat was not interested in statistics.

He said his side would concentrate on the dangers of Bobo, Alex Brosque and Milos Ninkovic.

“I don't take last season into consideration, .it’s a different squad, different players, they are quite a bit more mobile than they were last season, they press a little bit more,” he said.

“Their structure is a traditional Arnie (Sydney coach Graham Arnold) structure, very solid without the ball, but dangerous. They have players two have hit form in that front third of the park. They have got two holding midfielders who have started the season well that gives them a good platform to attack.”