Auckland FC vs Melbourne Victory Tips & Predictions - Auckland to secure A-League Grand Final spot

A sold-out Go Media Stadium will provide the backdrop for what should be another electric atmosphere as Auckland look to continue their dream debut season in the A-League by reaching the Grand Final. Auckland overcame Victory 1-0 in the first leg and the competition's best defensive team can keep their opponents at bay again on their home turf.

Auckland have lost just three games all season, while all three previous meetings between the teams have produced Under 2.5 goals. In fact, Victory haven't scored against Auckland in any of those three encounters, with Daniel Arzani showing some frustration post-match after last week's defeat, labelling the Kiwi minor premiers as 'one-dimensional'. You can bet your bottom dollar Auckland are aware of those comments, so I'm backing Steve Corica's side to finish the job at home.

Auckland have won the last two meetings between the teams after a 0-0 stalemate on New Year's Day. The Black Knights were 1-0 winners in the first leg last weekend at AAMI Park.

It's been an outstanding season for Auckland, who have gone unbeaten in 24 of their 27 A-League games this season - and one of those defeats was a meaningless final outing of the regular campaign after they had already wrapped up the minor premiership.

Auckland are obviously proving extremely difficult to break down and Victory discovered that again in the first leg, failing to score against the Black Knights for the third straight game.

Logan Rogerson's goal in the 64th minute proved the difference, with fellow New Zealand international Francis De Vries providing some brilliant lead-up work for the assit.

Corica is expected to field the same 11 players that got the job done last week.

Victory were able to raise their level to knock out the Wanderers in the elimination finals, but Auckland continue to be a thorn in their side this season.

Despite possessing an abundance of attacking threat throughout their squad, Victory have gone three straight games without finding the back of the net against Auckland and their frustrations continued in the first leg last weekend.

Arthur Diles' side now must travel across the Tasman and defeat a full-strength Auckland side in front of a sold-out Go Media Stadium if they are to return to the Grand Final following their heartbreaking defeat to the Mariners last season.

Victory were dealt a big blow when captain Roderick Miranda was ruled out moments before kick off last week with a leg injury.

His replacement, Brendan Hamill, suffered a knee injury in the 1-0 defeat, so Diles will be hoping Miranda can make a recovery and return for the second leg.