The season started with so much promise for Melbourne City. With new owners, a new name, a new kit and a host of new signings came a renewed sense of optimism and expectation from the club and it’s supporters. This in turn, came with a new sense of excitement around what the Melbourne Derby could offer the football fans of Melbourne. A smaller version of the Manchester Derby perhaps, as far as the City group were concerned. The old, established and successful powerhouse in Melbourne Victory, against the new, up and coming powerhouse, Melbourne City.
However, it’s been an all too familiar story for Melbourne City, who has managed just two wins from nine games this season and currently sits seventh on the A-League table. There have been glimpses of promise, yet injuries and distractions have all contributed to the poor start to the season. David Villa’s early departure was a disappointment for the fans, while Irish star Damien Duff will most likely be out of action until the New Year.
In a boost for the home side, international marquee Robert Koren has been included in the squad for Saturday night and coach John van ’t Schip more than hinted that the Slovakian international would finally make his long awaited debut.
“Robi Koren will be part of the squad – He’s come back from 11 weeks not playing so he is going to be involved,” van ’t Schip said.
Melbourne Victory on the other hand has been clinical this year and currently remains the only undefeated team in the league. But with six wins and four draws from their 10 games, they risk losing touch with top placed Perth Glory if they continue to drop valuable points. Muscat’s men will be keen to make amends for last week’s 3-3 draw with Sydney FC, in which Muscat was left livid with his team’s defensive performance.
Victory’s Carl Valeri said the group was still hurting from last Saturday’s missed opportunity.
“We’re still a bit disappointed from last week’s game against Sydney but we’re going to take that disappointment, learn from it and take it into next game,” the midfielder said.
The Victory will also have some welcome additions with Gui Finkler and Scott Galloway both returning from injury. Captain Mark Milligan is set to miss the next three weeks after being suspended for his errant elbow on Terry Antonis last week, but Valeri believes his side can cover the loss.
“Obviously missing your captain’s always going to be tough, Millsy’s a great leader, great player – but the thing I’ve said about this team from the start is that we’ve got great depth so there are a lot of boys that can fill that position,” the Socceroo said.
Valeri also suggested that fans should expect a typically fast paced, attacking game from the Victory.
“We’re just going to stick to our game, I think it’s been working so you know like I said before there’s nothing too negative here, we’re all about positivity and working hard.”
Under the previous ownership, Melbourne Heart made just one finals appearance in four seasons in the competition. Despite this, the pure passion and adrenalin of the game has meant that previous derbies have nearly all been sellouts and have been far from one-sided affairs. The ledger sits at 5 wins for the Victory and 4 for City/Heart, with 4 draws.
The last meeting between these two was arguably the most entertaining of their matches with the Victory winning 5-2 after twice coming from behind.
With the Christmas fixture between the two rivals traditionally producing some memorable encounters, we could be in for a treat on Saturday night.
Who could forget Archie Thompson’s thrilling 92nd minute winner in December of 2012 to give his side a much needed 2-1 win or the 3-2 thriller which went the way of the then Heart a year earlier.
Given both teams’ need for a win, an open, attacking game would not be surprising. City has traditionally started well this season, despite only managing two wins. This should continue tomorrow night, but expect Victory to continue their unbeaten streak and run over the top of their rivals.
Prediction City 1 Victory 3