Melbourne City will be looking to defend their A-League Grand Final when they take on Western United in an interesting playoff final at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon with kickoff at 12:45 EAT.
Melbourne City made a strong campaign this season, with the side finishing top of the league table having claimed 49 points from 26 games. The reigning champions did well to edge out Adelaide 2-1 on aggregate in the semifinals, which came in the extra time of the second leg following 0-0 in the first leg.
They have now gone unbeaten in their last three games across all competitions claiming two victories in the run, and they will be looking to extend that run on Saturday as aim to retain their trophy. Western United however will have something to say about that as they seek their first ever trophy in their short history, the club was founded in 2018.
Western United have consistently punched above their weight this season with the side claiming the third-place finish in the A-League with just four points behind Melbourne City at the summit of the table. They also looked very sharp in the second leg of their semifinal tie against Melbourne Victory, claiming a 4-1 triumph at away. They victory saw them advance 4-2 on aggregate following a 1-0 defeat in the first leg.
Western United also boast a four-match unbeaten run against Melbourne City in A-League, claiming three victories in the run. They should therefore be confident heading into the clash but City’s experience at this stage should come in handy for the hosts.
Melbourne City vs Western United head to head
Both sides have met in nine encounters since 2019 with Melbourne City claiming five victories, while Western United have claimed three victories and there have been one draw.
- Western United 2-2 Melbourne City 12/03/22
- Western United 1-0 Melbourne City 29/01/22
- Melbourne City 0-1 Western United 04/12/21
- Western United 2-1 Melbourne City 01/04/21
- Melbourne City 2-1 Western United 16/01/21
Home
- Melbourne City 2-1 Adelaide
- Adelaide 0-0 Melbourne City
- Melbourne City 2-1 Wellington
- Perth 2-0 Melbourne City
- United City 0-3 Melbourne City
Away
- Melbourne Victory 1-4 Western United
- Western United 0-1 Melbourne Victory
- Western United 1-0 Wellington
- Adelaide 2-1 Western United
- Newcastle 1-1 Western United
Melbourne City team news
Melbourne City will be without Florin Berenguer, and Aiden O’Neill due to injury, while Curtis Good is expected back in the side following his suspension.
Western United team news
Western United will be without Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Alessandro Diamanti due to injury, while Steven Lustica is a doubt.
Prediction and odds
- Melbourne City win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
