A-League Betting: Melbourne derby between City and Victory could end all square

Recommended bet: Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory to Draw @ 13/5 (3.60) with SportsBet.

It’s the Melbourne derby between City and Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday evening, so there are local bragging rights in addition to the three points at stake here.

In truth, neither team has really been firing on all cylinders this season, with City having taken just seven points from their last seven league games after starting the season with four straight wins, whilst Victory failed to win any of their opening six matches, but have now won three of their last five to begin climbing the table.

Last weekend City went down to a 3-1 defeat at Sydney FC.  They did take the lead in that game through Luke Brattan, only to concede twice just before the interval.  A red card for Manny Muscat 20-minutes from time all but ended their hopes of a comeback and they conceded a third goal deep into stoppage-time.

Meanwhile Victory secured a 2-1 win at Brisbane Roar, as goals from Rhys Williams and New Zealand international Kosta Barbarouses in the opening 20-minutes put them in command early on and they held out despite Roar getting back into the game after the break.

Both of Victory’s goals were created by Leroy George, meaning the Dutch attacker currently tops the assists table with six to his name this season.

Earlier this season City secured a 2-1 win over Victory at the Etihad Stadium and in the last six meetings between the teams in all competitions there has only been one home win.

Last season Victory won two of the three league meetings, with City winning the other one.  However, City also came out on top when the teams faced each other at the semi-final stage of the FFA Cup.  

So, despite the fact that City have home advantage and are six points better off in the league table as things stand, the momentum is currently with Victory in terms of current form and the fact that this is a local derby is another factor to take into account.

A draw looks a very definite possibility here, with the 13/5 (3.60) available at Sportsbet looking a decent value A-League bet.