Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory Predictions

Sydney FC come into the game with Melbourne Victory off the back of an impressive 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets. That was Sydney’s third win of the season, with the derby-day loss to Western Sydney Wanderers being the only blemish on their record so far this season. The Sky Blues have started the season well but there looks like there is more to come from the current champions. 

Melbourne Victory’s season has stuttered so far, with just one win, and they currently sit in 7th place, well below pre-season expectations. Things haven’t quite clicked for the side yet, but there have been glimpses of what they are capable of; Ola Toivonen in particular looking dangerous.

Injuries and international calls-ups haven’t been kind to Victory this weekend, though, and they are missing seven players who would consider themselves first-team regulars. But they are able to welcome back Robbie Kruse from injury and a lot of their hopes rest on his shoulders at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. 

Fate has been slightly kinder to Sydney FC, who are only missing Warland and Zuvela through injury, players  both on the fringes of the first team and easily replaceable. All eyes will be on Kosta Barbarouses, however, after his controversial switch from Melbourne Victory to Sydney FC in the off season. 

Sydney FC have created the most ‘big’ chances so far this season, ones where you’d expect them to score (15) but have only converted 26% of these. Perhaps this is the biggest indication there is more to come from the hosts this season. On the other end of the spectrum, Melbourne Victory have averaged just 3.4 shots on target per game this season and they really seem to be struggling for creativity in the final third.

Sydney have won six of the last eight home meetings between the two sides and, with personnel problems mounting for the visitors, it’s hard to look past another convincing Sydney FC win. We’re confident they will run out winners and have predicted them to find the net at least twice this weekend.

The scoreline is a little harder to call and, although Melbourne Victory still have a talented squad available to them, we’ve predicted a 3-0 win for Sydney FC; the options available to them are simply of a better quality than their opponents across the pitch. The Big Blue derby will certainly be an interesting one but it should be one the home side emerge from with all three points.