To see the three Victory skippers' photoshoot...

"You can dissect it how you like but we're still top of the league and we're going into a game against Sydney at home where they'll probably play in front of their biggest crowd.

"So it's a big game for them," he said today.

Victory will be missing talismanic Socceroo striker Archie Thompson, suspended after a red card - the club's fourth this season.

Muscat says his side's alternate strike options have to show what they can do.

"It's time for people to stand up as well," added Muscat. "We've not wanted to rely on the Archie Thompsons just getting goals or Danny Allsopp.

"The fact is, Archie's not playing and someone's got to share that work load."

However, Muscat is keen to talk up the fact that the game will be fiery, with red cards a distinct possiblity.

"What you'll get on Saturday is a fiery encounter. The two biggest cities. I can't see how it won't be like previous ones with a lot of action and red cards in front of a massive crowd... their [Sydney's] biggest crowd of the season.

"Hopefully the red cards won't be us."

He added: "We're not going to hide from the fact that we're disappointed with the way things have gone.

"But it won't signal a softening of style when the sky blues walk out onto Telstra Dome for the marquee A-League fixture of the weekend.

"Our approach will be exactly the same. We'll try to get at them every possible opportunity to put them on the back foot. And Kossie will fire them up."

Estimates have the crowd to be 30,000 plus for the game which will include the debut of Victory's W-League side who will play the curtain raiser against Central Coast women. Entry for the women's game will be free for ticket-holders for the Sydney game.
To see the three Victory skippers' photoshoot...