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Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City highlights: Victory secure derby with two late goals

Roar Guru
4th February, 2017
Time: 7.50pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Last meeting: Victory 2-1 City; October 15, 2016
TV: Live Fox Sports
Betting: Melbourne Victory $2.30, Draw $3.60, Melbourne City $2.90

Team squads (with two to be omitted)

Melbourne Victory:
2.Jason Geria, 4.Nick Ansell, 5.Daniel Georgievski, 6.Leigh Broxham, 7.Marco Rojas, 8.Besart Berisha, 10.James Troisi, 11.Mitch Austin, 13.Oliver Bozanic, 14.Fahid Ben Khalfallah, 15.Alan Baro, 16.Rashid Mahazi, 19.George Howard, 20.Lawrence Thomas (gk), 21.Carl Valeri (c), 22.Stefan Nigro, 23.Jai Ingham, 40.Matt Acton (gk)

Melbourne City:
Thomas Sorensen (gk), 2.Manny Muscat, 5.Ivan Franjic, 6.Osama Malik, 8.Neil Kilkenny, 9.Nicolas Colazo, 10.Anthony Caceres, 11.Bruce Kamau, 12.Nick Fitzgerald, 14.Daniel Arzani, 17.Tim Cahill, 18.Paulo Retre, 20.Dean Bouzanis (gk), 21.Ruon Tongyik, 22.Michael Jakobsen, 23.Bruno Fornaroli (c), 26.Luke Brattan, 27.Fernando Brandan
The Victory will be hoping their attack has finally reemerged in time for the A-League finals. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
4th February, 2017
110
4476 Reads

Match result:

Melbourne Victory won a dramatic and controversial derby on Saturday night despite trailing 0-1, thanks to a goal form Besart Berisha and then an own-goal coming via Manny Muscat.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Melbourne Victory 2
Melbourne City 1

Match preview:

Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City do battle in a Melbourne derby that both teams desperately need to win. Join The Roar tonight for live scores and commentary from 7.50pm (AEDT).

After a promising start to the season, it’s fair to say City are not living up to their potential. The citizens find themselves in fourth position on the ladder, with Perth Glory, the Newcastle Jets and others clutching at their heels.

Another disappointing performance against the Jets last week raises doubts about City’s capacity to challenge Sydney FC for the title.

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A change in coach has done little to solidify their defensive issues. They remain a team that is far too easily opened up by opposition attackers and they will be tested once again by the Victory.

The Victory is enduring a three-match losing streak and will be particularly frustrated by their 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC last week at home.

After taking the lead through James Troisi, they were well on top in the first half, only to concede against the run of play.

Despite threatening to take the lead in the second half through some enterprising play, Melbourne’s inability to convert pressure into goals cost them dearly against the most well-organised team in the A-League.

Despite not playing badly at all, the Victory still found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline against a Sydney outfit that is unrivalled when it comes to stamina and belief.

Although City has enjoyed the better results of late, Victory is still playing the better football. They will fancy their chances of ending their winless drought tonight.

While City at their best remain the team most likely to challenge Sydney for the title, they are a long way from their peak and need to start showing more urgency both on and off the ball.

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Prediction
This is a very difficult game to call. Both teams are not in the best of form but expect an entertaining game nonetheless with plenty of goals. A draw looks likely here.

City and Victory to draw 2-2

Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEDT).

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