It’s that time of year again! We host Melbourne Victory in a blockbuster Christmas Derby at AAMI Park on Saturday 21 December. See the five things we’re looking forward to ahead of the match.
It’s Melbourne Derby time!
Melbourne City have had a strong start to the A-League season and will be looking to give their supporters an early Christmas gift when they host Melbourne Victory in the annual Christmas Derby!
With the family friendly kick off time of 5:00pm, this season’s Christmas Derby is a match that the entire household can enjoy!
After a stalemate in Round 1, the city’s bragging rights are on the line as we prepare for an enthralling contest at AAMI Park. Don’t miss it!
We’re building
Erick Mombaerts’ side has won three of their opening four games this season at AAMI Park and will be eager to extend that record against their arch rivals this Saturday afternoon.
City are coming off one of their most complete performances of the season, with a 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.
A first half Adrian Luna brace was followed up by goals to Marcelo Cabrera and Jamie Maclaren in the second half. A result that gives the team great winning momentum heading into Round 11’s Derby!
An intriguing battle
Derbies bring out the best in footballers. They’re so often separated by a moment of brilliance and come down to the smallest of margins.
If history is anything to go by, this Saturday’s match should be no different. Over the past seven Melbourne Derbies, dating back to October 2017, the battles between the two teams could not have been more even. The three most recent clashes have all been draws, and the four before that were evenly split with two wins apiece.
Despite Victory not having had the strongest of starts, the form guide can be thrown out the window as we prepare for a tight battle between two fierce rivals.
The man for the moment
Jamie Maclaren’s second half strike against the Jets in Round 10 saw him become the fastest player to reach double digits in A-League history – netting his 10th goal in just his sixth game.
He has scored in all but one game this season and will be looking to continue that run on Saturday.
In his time at City, Maclaren has played in one Melbourne Derby, winning a penalty and then scoring from the spot in a 1-1 draw in February this year. The star number 9 is primed to shine on the big occasion and will be looking to again hit the scoreboard in his first Christmas Derby.
Last home game of 2019
It’s been a year full of ups and downs, but Saturday will be the last time the boys run out onto AAMI Park in 2019.
City’s last clash of the year will be away to Sydney FC in what potentially could shape up as a 1v2 match-up.
With two big games approaching against two fierce rivals, Mombaerts and his men will be eager to enter the New Year on a high ahead of their home clash with Western United on Friday 3 January. Don’t miss any of the action!
