Anticipation is building for the first Melbourne Derby of the 2017/2018 A-League season.
Melbourne Victory v City
Saturday, October 14, Etihad Stadium
7:50pm AEDT
Live on Fox Sports 501 and ONE HD
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“They’ve been great games and we’re expecting a big crowd there tomorrow night. Ticket sales have grown really well.
“There’s no love lost between the two teams, there’s respect between the two clubs.
“Once that whistle goes, you want the three points and you do whatever it takes to get them.”
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“I’ve had a few good memories, the 5-2 win earlier (in 2014-2015) and the semi-final win.
“You’d like to think you get up for every game equally but there’s definitely a few you look forward to on the calendar a bit more and the Derby’s a massive game for us.
“We’re expecting a massive crowd and I can’t wait to see all the fans out there.”
“It’s a big game, we’re really looking forward to that.
“I think we were very unlucky last Saturday but our performance was good. Everything that was asked from the boys, we did.
“I’m very confident we can (bounce back), we have a great team.
“Derbies are very special, special to me and special to the supporters.
“Games like this, you have to be ready. It’s a special game.
“One thing is for sure, we are fit, we are strong and we are very confident going towards this game.”
- Melbourne Victory has won the last two Melbourne Derbies by a scoreline of exactly 2-1 on each occasion.
- Only once in the history of the Melbourne Derby has either team won three games in a row, a feat Victory will be looking to match on Saturday.
- Victory won 63 duels in the opening round, more than any other team in the competition.
Melbourne Victory (two to be omitted): 1. Matt Acton (GK), 2. Jason Geria, 4. Rhys Williams, 5. Mark Milligan, 6. Leigh Broxham, 8. Besart Berisha, 9. Kosta Barbarouses, 10. James Troisi, 11. Mitch Austin, 14. Thomas Deng, 16. Josh Hope, 17. James Donachie, 18. Matias Sanchez, 20. Lawrence Thomas (GK), 21. Carl Valeri ©, 22. Stefan Nigro, 23. Jai Ingham, 41. Leroy George
In: Mark Milligan, Kosta Barbarouses, James Troisi, Matias Sanchez
Out: Pierce Waring, Christian Theoharous
Unavailable: Nil
City (two to be omitted): 1. Dean Bouzanis (GK), 2. Manny Muscat, 3. Scott Jamieson, 5. Bart Schenkeveld, 6. Osama Malik, 7. Nick Fitzgerald, 8. Neil Kilkenny, 9. Marcelo Carrusca, 11. Bruce Kamau, 12. Braedyn Crowley, 13. Stefan Mauk, 17. Tim Cahill, 18. Eugene Galekovic (GK), 22. Michael Jakobsen ©, 25. Iacopo La Rocca, 26. Luke Brattan, 27. Marcin Budzinski, 44. Ross McCormack
In: Neil Kilkenny, Tim Cahill
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Bruno Fornaroli (ankle)