It is derby day in the A-League this Saturday as Melbourne Victory welcome their local rivals Melbourne City in what is a crucial game for both teams.
They are at the complete opposite ends of the league table right now with the hosts sitting bottom while the visitors are the current league leaders, making this important for different reasons.
Match preview
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Melbourne Victory saw their struggles continue last weekend when they were defeated 2-1 by Newcastle Jets, despite the fact that Nishan Velupillay had brought the team back into the game with an equaliser.
After picking up three points in the previous week, there had been hope from fans that it would be the start of a run, but the lack of consistency continued to plague them.
However, the is no better time to bounce back than on derby day, especially since it was their rivals who got bragging rights the last time the teams met.
Melbourne Victory have picked up just two wins at home all season, and that included an impressive 3-1 result against Wellington Phoenix the last time they played at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
A lack of goals is still a problem for the hosts though, and coming up against the team with the second-best defensive record in the entire league might not be the easiest way of changing that.
The visitors are not just one of the most defensively solid teams in the A-League, but they also boast the best attack with 37 goals already this season, which will make the team a real threat this weekend.
That has been clear by the fact that Melbourne City have scored nine goals in their previous three matches alone, with four of them happening in their most recent outing.
The Hearts had four different goalscorers as they impressively dispatched Perth Glory 4-2 as they secured an eight-point gap at the top of the table with a game in hand on their nearest threat to the title.
That is something that Melbourne City will now be looking to extend this weekend as they continue to have a dominant grip on the division, losing just once all season.
After a rocky patch that saw them draw three times in a row, the team have steadied the ship with consecutive victories which they now look to extend once again.
Team News
Jason Geria missed out last weekend for Melbourne Victory after dealing with some soreness, but after training throughout the entire week, he could be in contention to return to the starting lineup.
Paul Izzo is another player that will once again be an option for the hosts which will boost the squad depth as his recovery from a thumb issue is progressing.
Fernando Romero was also involved in training for the first time after signing on loan and is in the extended squad as he looks to make his debut for the club.
Curtis Good was unavailable for the visitors last weekend due to injury, but he is back in the squad this time around as he aims to return to the team at the first time of asking.
Arion Sulemani has also been promoted into the matchday squad for the derby game, with the young forward providing plenty of energy if called upon.
Melbourne Victory possible starting lineup:
Acton; Geria, Da Silva, Spiranovic, Chapman; Brillante, Broxham; Velupillay, Brimmer, Folami; Fornaroli
Melbourne City possible starting lineup:
Glover; Bos, Lam, Good, Reis; O'Neill; Nabbout, Van der Venne, Berisha, Leckie; Maclaren
We say: Melbourne Victory 0-3 Melbourne City
Melbourne Victory are going through a tough season at the moment, and coming up against the current league leaders could see that continue.
While it is a derby fixture, therefore the hosts will provide a stern test, this is one that Melbourne City should win comfortably.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
