Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory predictions for Saturday's A-League game
Both teams have shown inconsistencies early this season
Another draw between the city rivals is predicted
Tip: Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory | Odds |
BTTS - Yes Both Teams To Score | @1.60 |
Draw H2H | @3.40 |
1-1 Correct Score | @6.75 |
Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory Preview
Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory collide in another heavyweight derby and there is value on a derby between the bitter rivals.
Melbourne City have seen BTTS in 2 of their last 3 games
Melbourne City have drawn 3 of their last 4 matches against Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory drew their opening game of the season last week
Melbourne Victory have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 6 A-League games
Head To Head
Victory have the slight edge in the historical H2H, winning 17 games to City's 15, while there have also been 13 draws.
Victory have recent bragging rights, winning the last regular season game between the teams 2-1 before prevailing in extra-time during the finals.
Melbourne City Form
After a few seasons of dominance, City were pegged back last season, barely scraping into the finals in sixth position before being eliminated by Victory.
Early signs suggest City might be languishing around mid-table again this season.
They were bundled out of the Australia Cup by embattled Perth Glory, while their win over the lowly Newcastle Jets last week in Round 1 wasn't convincing.
City got off to a flying start as Marco Tilio scored in the opening minute, but that was as good as it got, with the Jets arguably creating the better chances for the remainder of the game.
Melbourne City Team News
James Jeggo will miss this game due to suspension.
Aurelio Vidmar might choose to tinker with his centre forward position, with Andrew Nabbout not really threatening leading the line against the Jets.
Melbourne Victory Form
Victory have suffered some heartbreaking results in 2024, including losing the A-League Grand Final last season to the Mariners after leading in the 89th minute.
They also suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Macarthur FC in the Australia Cup final despite dominating the game.
Victory have a habit of controlling games but not taking advantage of their chances and that was the case again in their opening game of the new season against the Central Coast Mariners last week in Gosford.
Bruno Fornaroli missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time, while Victory missed a host of other golden chances to take the lead.
Roderick Miranda was sent off in the 60th minute and Victory were then forced to take a step back and defend a draw.
Melbourne Victory Team News
Daniel Arzani is available for selection again after missing last week through suspension, but it will be interesting to see how he's utilised - if at all - by Patrick Kisnorbo.
Nico Vergas might be in line for a start up front after he was left on the bench last week, with Fornaroli missing a penalty.