After playing a 2-2 draw, both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City front up for mid-week fixtures in the A-League on Wednesday.
The best bets from both their games are in as we dissect two important clashes.
melbourne victory vs. western united
march 23rd 7:05pm
Melbourne Victory seeks to keep its four-game undefeated intact when it meets state-rival Western United at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.
Tony Popovic led his men to a 1-1 draw against Melbourne City last week, while Western United fell miserably in a 3-0 loss to Sydney FC.
Socceroo duties are going to effect both squads here, but mainly Victory, which will be without star forward duo Nicholas D’Agostino and Ben Folami.
With Robbie Kruse and Chris Ikonomidis on the sidelines with injuries, it means the likes of Francesco Margiotta and Lleyton Brooks need to step up in their absence.
Western United get a weakened Victory team to try and avoid three-straight losses to its rivals having already been beaten by it them twice this season.
However, the Victory midfield is still going to be strong and it will be the finishing product in the final third which will determine this game.
With the added motivation of Leigh Broxham notching up an incredible 350 appearances for Melbourne Victory in this fixture, we have to side with the home team.
Prediction: Melbourne Victory 2 Western United 1
Suggested Bet: Melbourne Victory head to head at $1.95
brisbane roar vs. melbourne city
march 23rd 7:35pm
A-League table topper Melbourne City heads up North for a clash against Brisbane Roar in a bid to stave off the chasers for top spot on the ladder.
City had to peg back a 1-0 deficit against Melbourne Victory to pinch a draw in the Derby last weekend and it ensured its unbeaten run extended out to seven games.
Brisbane, meanwhile, took another step to turning its season around after winning its second game in a row by crushing Perth Glory 4-1 in Perth.
The Roar took full advantage of an abysmal Glory outfit to move into the ruck of teams vying that crucial sixth spot.
A 2-1 loss is what City dealt the Roar in the first game of their season, but travelling away for this clash might just give Roar the advantage.
Having won its last two games, confidence at Brisbane will surely be at an all-time high.
Roar were stiff not to get a result against City last time they played, but that look set to change.
Prediction: Brisbane 2 Melbourne City 2
Suggested Bet: Draw at $3.50
