Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory Tips & Prediction - Victory to prevail in Christmas Derby upset

It's been a disappointing start to the season for Victory, but they eased some pressure off manager Arthur Diles with a solid 2-1 win over Adelaide United last week. Nikos Vergas finally snapped his 14-game goal drought by grabbing a brace, while Juan Mata continued his sensational form by orchestrating the game in midfield and registering an assist. Meanwhile, City enjoyed a week off due to Asian Champions League commitments - they are doing a good job of balancing out their season, with Aurelio Vidmar's side coming fourth in both the A-League and the ACL Elite.

Form usually goes out the window in derbies, which is why I'm liking Victory at $3.25 odds. They've been playing some good football, it's just the end product that has been lacking. Vergos is back amongst the goals, so his confidence should be high, while Mata has created 26 chances so far this season - only Joe Lolley of Sydney FC has more. City haven't been too impressive in the A-League lately - they've lost 4-1 to Adelaide, drew 0-0 with the Mariners and edged out the lowly Jets 1-0 in their last three games. Feels like the perfect time for Victory to kick-start their season, with maestro Mata pulling the strings.

City are unbeaten in the last five meetings, winning last season's Grand Final 1-0 before a 2-0 triumph in Round 4 earlier this campaign, with Max Caputo and Peter Antoniou getting on the scoresheet.

Juggling domestic and continental football is never easy, especially for Australian clubs, where lots of travel comes is required.

However, City have been doing a good job this season - they're right within striking distance in both competitions, sitting in fourth place on the ladder.

In saying that, City's A-League form lately hasn't been anything to write home about. They were hammered 4-1 at Coopers by Adelaide United and followed it up with a dour 0-0 stalemate against the Mariners.

Before last week's bye, City pipped Newcastle 1-0 courtesy of a 27th goal from Kavian Rahmani, while they drew 1-1 with FC Seoul in their most-recent outing in the Champions League.

Absolutely nothing to be concerned about if you're a City fan, but they haven't exactly been setting the world on fire lately, which could open the door for their rivals to post a Christmas Derby ambush.

Melbourne City squad: 1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 10. Takeshi KANAMORI, 11. Elbasan RASHANI, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Dakota OCHSENHAM (GK), 35. Medin MEMETI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 37. Peter ANTONIOU, 38. Beckham BAKER, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 44. Besian KUTLESHI, 47. Kavian RAHMANI.

It was a nightmare start to the season for Victory and they still find themselves anchored to the bottom of the ladder after eight rounds.

However, such is the tight nature of the A-League, there's only two points separating 5th from 12th - one more win for Victory here and they could easily be knocking on the door of the top six.

Victory were repeatedly left frustrated in attack before last week's win over Adelaide, coming into that game without a goal in four straight fixtures.

The Big V finally found their groove in the attacking third against the Reds - namely Nikos Vergos, with the Greek striker bagging himself a brace, snapping a 14-game goal drought in the process.

Mata has been lighting up the A-League with some sizzling football this season, turning back the clock with some midfield mastery and the former Chelsea and Man United star will be looking to continue his resurgent form with a big derby performance here.

Melbourne Victory squad: 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Matthew GRIMALDI, 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 19. Jing REEC, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO, 29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC, 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 64. Juan MATA