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Besart Berisha has declared Melbourne Victory ready to end two years of A-League hurt at the hands of Sydney FC in their blockbuster match-up on Friday.
The Sky Blues have run roughshod over the competition over the past two seasons, and Victory has been one of their prime whipping boys.
In six meetings over the past two years, Graham Arnold's side have earned five wins, including last season's Grand Final.
Victory's only draw, back in February 2016, even felt like a loss, given they were ahead and facing 10 men after Jacques Faty's dismissal, only to be pegged back by David Carney.
It remains the view at AAMI Park that Victory were unlucky in each of their four meetings during Sydney's title-winning season.
And in the opening round this season, when the Victory were hit hard by international call-ups, it took a late Thomas Deng own goal for the Sky Blues to triumph.
Whatever their belief, it's Sydney that has the points -- and the trophies -- to show for it.
Berisha says Victory can begin to turn the tide in their direction with three points on Australia Day.
"We're feeling great. We're enjoying the football we play," he said. "We will have to be 100 percent to beat Sydney ... a tough opponent. But we are hungry. We want more.
"If you keep losing against Sydney FC, your chances are less to win something.
"Everything is still possible in this season. We're going to go very motivated on Friday.
"It's a special game, everyone wants to play in this game and we are ready."
Sydney, the league leaders, and Victory, in fourth, have both won five of their last seven matches.
The Victory have found their groove in recent weeks -- beating Western Sydney 3-0 away last weekend.
Berisha scored and assisted in that match to improve his lacklustre -- for him -- return of just seven goals this season.
But he shrugged off criticism of his output.
"It's been a very tough season this year. Very challenging," he said.
"I get sometimes [don't get] the credit for many things but it's not important. Kevin and the boys and the club give me credit.
"We started very slow this season but I think we're coming very strong now at the end of the season. Sometimes it's better late than never."
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