Melbourne City vs. Melbourne Victory – A-League, April 17, 2021

It goes without saying that Victory will be hoping to avoid a repeat of what happened in the previous Melbourne Derby when they face City at AAMI Park on Saturday, April 17.

Patrick Kisnorbo’s men completely humiliated Victory back in March, claiming a 6-0 win over their struggling neighbors. If recent form is anything to go by, a similar scoreline wouldn’t be a huge surprise this weekend.

Let’s start by looking at the odds before getting into my Melbourne City vs. Melbourne Victory prediction and pick.

This is actually the biggest odds gap I’ve seen in the A-League this season. When you consider what happened last time around, it is hardly a shock to see City as the overwhelming favorite to win on Saturday.

As you can see, the top-rated online sportsbooks view Victory as the massive outsider here. Can the Boys in Blue upset the A-League odds this weekend? Let’s find out.

Given that Victory headed into the last Melbourne Derby on a run of just two wins in nine games, everyone expected City to claim all three points. But the manner with which Victory capitulated was embarrassing.

Brebner’s men failed to register a single shot on target in the previous meeting, with City racking up 22 attempts.

You would think that March’s thrashing should have given the Boys in Blue a much-needed kick up the backside. However, they have only managed to win one of their five games since then – recording three defeats and one draw in the process.

Victory picked up just their third win in 15 matches last weekend, coming from behind to edge out fellow strugglers Newcastle 2-1. Still, they remain one point adrift at the bottom of the A-League ladder.

Brebner’s men have finally overtaken the Jets to become the second-lowest scorers in the division, although they still have the worst defensive record by some distance.

Make sure you relive March’s mayhem by watching the video below.

It is no exaggeration to say that City totally outplayed Victory in every single department last time around. Unsurprisingly, Jamie Maclaren gave his side the lead – opening the floodgates for his teammates.

Following last weekend’s 1-1 draw in the Big Blue, Maclaren has now bagged 14 goals and five assists in 15 appearances this term.

Kisnorbo’s men have only lost one of their previous nine games, with a somewhat unexpected 2-1 defeat coming against Western United at the beginning of the month. Having been held by Sydney FC last time out, City will be eager to return to winning ways.

With 31 goals to their name, Kisnorbo’s men are the highest scorers in the A-League. On top of that, they also boast the third-best defensive record.

When you compare City’s +18 goal difference with Victory’s -20, you can’t help but fear the worst for Brebner’s side – again!

The two Melbourne clubs are enjoying hugely contrasting seasons, with third-place City currently leading last-place Victory by 27 points. Do I really need to explain my Melbourne City vs. Melbourne Victory prediction in any more detail?

Ultimately, anything other than a high-scoring City win would be a big shock on Saturday.