The Melbourne Derby is upon us again and this time it brings an unprecedented theme to it, with it being the first time these two clubs meet in a knockout final. It shapes up to be a monumental affair.
Melbourne City surprised many last week with a 2-0 away at Westpac Stadium in Wellington and in doing so set up a mouth-watering Melbourne Derby semi-final.
Their major worry is that they are coming off a four-day break and are set to face a rampaging Victory side, on the back of a week’s rest and Premiers Plate celebrations.
Hence, you would expect City to bring their resolute best to the game on Friday night, with the sole focus on frustrating and slowing the Victory down with a rigid defensive display and counter-attacking football.
Whether that will be good enough to combat a fresh and hungry Victory outfit remains the question. There is history to suggest the Victory are vulnerable against frustrating football teams, with bottom-table clubs Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets challenging or taking points off the Victory in the final stages of the regular season.
Such a disciplined and defensive effort for the full 90 minutes (plus any additional time) with only four days of rest is a mammoth challenge for Melbourne City.
Key Battle – Josh Kennedy vs Matthieu Delpierre
Kennedy has a knack of performing in the big games and he did it again last week against the Phoenix by opening the scoring, so do not be surprised to see him step up again come Friday night. The counter-attacking style of City will suit him, with the likes of David Williams and Harry Novillo likely to be afforded plenty of opportunities to cross the ball on the fast break. Then again, a rigid, stop-start game will also suit the Socceroo, with plenty of set-piece opportunities sure to be afforded if City are successful in frustrating Victory. The responsibility of marking him will fall down to Matthieu Delpierre, who has been outstanding for the Victory since his return from injury. The lanky Frenchman has been a rock at the back and has resulted in a much sturdier Victory backline, with Nick Ansell also better off under his leadership. An interesting battle between two giants of football (literally) should ensue.
Team News
Kevin Muscat has the luxury of a fully fit squad to pick from with the exception of Nathan Coe, so you can expect a full-strength Victory starting XI. The position on the right wing is perhaps the most prized, with Kosta Barbarouses and Archie Thompson auditioning for it in recent weeks. Expect the Kiwi international to be given the start with Archie more likely to come on as a substitute.
Melbourne Victory Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Thomas (GK); Georgievksi, Delpierre, Ansell, Geria; Valeri, Milligan; Finkler, Barbarouses, Khalfallah; Berisha.
City, on the other hand, will have some weary and tired bodies after a tough trip to New Zealand. The likes of Kew Jaliens, Massimo Murdocca, Jason Hoffman and Stefan Mauk could be called upon given they did not featuring against the Phoenix, unless coach John van’t Schip wishes to stick with a winning formula.
Melbourne City Expected XI (4-3-3): Velaphi (GK); Germano, Kisnorbo, Chapman, Jaliens; Mooy, Paartalu, Koren; Williams, Novillo, Kennedy.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have enjoyed a fiery short history but this encounter promises to take things up a notch.
There have been 15 Melbourne Derbies in total, with the Victory just ahead of the ledger with six wins compared to City’s five.
They last met in February where the Victory completely dismantled City and ran away 3-0 winners in what was a fierce contest.
Prediction
It is hard to see City putting up much of a fight given they enter the match off the back of a four-day break. The pure rush of derby adrenaline should see them be resolute and difficult to break down for the opening stanza, but one expects the Victory’s high-tempo game to eventually wear City out and open up spaces in behind for the Victory attackers to take advantage of. The Victory are the best team in the league and should have too much class and firepower to outgun a fatigued Melbourne City.
Melbourne Victory 3 Melbourne City 1
If you fancy a flutter on Friday’s game then head over to Ladbrokes for the best odds. Gamble responsibly.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
