After winning the Premiership in back-to-back seasons, but failing to repeat as champions in 2021–22 after losing the Grand Final to Macarthur, City have started the domestic season brightly once more.
They are in a good position to return to the final this year under interim manager Rado Vidosic because they are two points ahead of the Western Sydney Wanderers and have a perfect home record this A-League season.
Their offence has been a challenge up to this point in the season, tallying multiple goals in six of the seven games and leading the league with 15 hits.
Melbourne City has so far in 2022–23 been very good at finding space in between their opponent’s defensive midfield line, leading to numerous chances.
City has a history of using a mid-block formation, but their quick counterattacking style has also had a significant impact because it is so effective at taking advantage of those expansive areas of the field.
The Melbourne Victory backline has improved after a shaky start to the season, posting a third clean sheet in their previous four league games on the road at Macarthur.
The Vuck have adapted quickly to the experienced Tony Popovic’s counter-pressing strategy, regaining their shape and defending well when dispossessed in their most recent league games.
They have recently become a more dangerous team when in possession thanks to their narrow backline, which has increased separation for their front players.
They have only given up in one of their last three away games, giving up just two shots on goal last Saturday and at the end of October when they drew 0-0 with Brisbane Roar.
Victory only dropped four games during the 2021–22 A–League Premiership season, but they have already dropped three games this year, including a 2-0 loss to Melbourne City at home in October.
After drawing with City twice in the prior campaign, they went on a four-game unbeaten streak against them in league play before that defeat.
What will unfold in this one now?
1×2 Betting Odds
You see Victory has been playing a more organised and compact defence lately, but City has the players to get past that line and a striker who hasn’t often been contained in recent seasons, so we anticipate yet again that the home team will find themselves on the score sheet yet again!
And according to the betting market, the home side, Melbourne City, are the favourites to win this derby with odds @ 2.12.
Victory, who can put up a tough fight themselves, are the slight underdogs in this with odds @3.47.
The odds of a stalemate in this derby stand @ 3.75.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals score will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.81.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.11.
