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Australian football's biggest derby takes centre stage

Roar Rookie
16th October, 2015
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Besart Berisha celebrates a goal for Melbourne. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Roar Rookie
16th October, 2015
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The opening derby of 2015-16 is almost upon us, as Melbourne Victory play host to rivals Melbourne City on Saturday.

The mouthwatering clash is one of the most immense fixtures of the home-and-away season, and is arguably the greatest derby in the A-League.

Melbourne Victory will be keen to redeem themselves after a disappointing 0-0 outing against Adelaide United in the commencement week of the 11th A-League season.

Kevin Muscat’s side dominated the match, leaving many dumbfounded as to how the champions failed to depart Adelaide with all three points in the bag.

The result was positive for Victory considering the circumstances of Leigh Broxham’s sending off late in the match, a clean sheet and a point is certainly better than nothing.

Melbourne City’s season got off to a rather decent start, they did not collect the maximum points from Allianz Stadium but they held Sydney to a 1-1 draw. It was a positive result considering the number of chances Sydney had to put the game to bed.

New signing and ex-Stoke City shot-stopper Thomas Sorenson emerged as City’s most influential player of the match, ultimately earning his side a point.

John van ‘t Schip and his fresh-faced City outfit have secured some impressive signings with the potential to cause the home side grief.

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Head to Head record
There have been 16 encounters between the two Melbourne based sides, Victory with the upper-hand in this department with seven victories to City’s five, while four matches resulted in stalemates. Victory have won three of the last four derbies, finding the net on 11 occasions in the process.

Previous encounter
The most recent clash between these teams was the semi-final in May 2015, and it was the blue side of Melbourne left grinning after Victory defeated their rivals 3-0 to advance to the grand final. Goals from Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and Archie Thompson were enough in front of 50,000 people at Etihad Stadium.

Key match-up: Besart Berisha versus Patrick Kisnorbo
The midfield duel will be important but given Berisha’s clinical record in Melbourne derbies, he will be the predominant goal threat. The Albanian has scored five goals in four derby appearances. Berisha boasts great finishing ability, demonstrated by his 63 A-League goals over the course of four seasons.

City captain Kisnorbo is one of the more superior defenders in the A-League and will be pivotal if his side are able to keep the Victory hitman at bay. The defender possesses great strength and aerial abilities, which will help his case against a striker of Berisha’s calibre. If the captain delivers a potent defensive display, Berisha may not enjoy this derby as much as others he has experienced.

Berisha will be keen to make amends for the opportunities he wasted in week one against Adelaide.

Projected line-ups
Melbourne Victory- 4-3-3: Vukovic (GK); Georgievski, Deng, Delpierre, Murnane; Valeri, Finkler, Bozanic; Barbarouses, Berisha, Ben Khalfallah.

Melbourne City- 4-3-3: Sorenson (GK); Retre, Chapman, Kisnorbo (C), Clisby; Paartalu, Mooy, Koren; Espindola, Fornaroli, Dekker.

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Prediction
The first Melbourne derby of the season is bound to be an intriguing spectacle, both sides will be seeking three points following their first round stalemates and there is no better time to do so than in the derby.

On paper, Melbourne City’s squad appears much stronger than the starting XI that took to the field in the corresponding fixture last season.

The reigning champions will want to prove they are still the best in the competition, starting with a victory against their local rivals.

Melbourne Victory 3-1 Melbourne City

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