Match Preview

There should be plenty of fireworks when last season’s A-League runners-up Melbourne Victory host last season’s title winners Sydney FC in their season opener at the Etihad Stadium. Encounters between the bitter interstate rivals are often controversial and Melbourne Victory will be out to avenge their Grand Final defeat on penalties last season.

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However, Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat will have to do without key players Mark Milligan, James Troisi, and Kosta Barbarouses, who are away on international duty.

As our Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC preview and soccer predictions detail, the visitors have no such worries and look a side full of goals, even though they were held 0-0 by Central Coast Mariners in their final pre-season friendly.

While their last two meetings were low-scoring encounters, our Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC predictions highlight a trend that may see a few goals and the A-League odds offered could be rewarding.

Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC Prediction and Betting Advice

Our Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC betting tips follow an interesting historical trend that, if it holds true, should see a goals total of more than three. The last two meetings have yielded less than three goals, which is rare. Not since 2008 has there been three consecutive meetings where less than three goals have been scored. With the home side missing key midfielders, expect Sydney FC playmakers to find a little more space and for the forwards to convert at least one of the many chances they missed in their final pre-season friendly.

Six of the last 10 A-League meetings yielded three or more goals and Unibet offer reasonable value in this market.

Sydney FC have something of a psychological edge over Melbourne Victory, having won three of their five meetings last season and having taken the Grand Final on penalties following a 1-1 draw. They have lost just three times in their last nine trips to Melbourne and won 2-1 there last term. In the last 12 visits, Sydney FC have lost on four occasions, yet they have never lost in back-to-back games in Melbourne, so those trends, combined with the hosts having to tinker with their line-up, suggest that our Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC bets should centre on the away team. Sydney FC are a fair value to win, but given that this is the first game of the season and a fierce rivalry at that, err on the side of caution by taking Sydney FC on the double chance market. Backing them to win or draw with 10Bet appears to be a tremendous value.