Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory: match preview

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Melbourne City are clinging on to second place after two matches without a win and head coach Erick Mombaerts goes in search of his first Derby triumph against Melbourne Victory on Friday.

The 2019/20 season opened with a 0-0 deadlock draw between the local rivals in Round 1, before Victory claimed bragging rights thanks to an Ola Toivonen double in a 2-1 win in Round 11.

City have came up short in recent weeks – with a 3-1 loss at Adelaide making it only one win in four games – and they remain a point ahead of third-placed Perth Glory in the ladder, having played an extra match.

And Mombaerts may have a defensive headache on his hands, with Harrison Delbridge suspended and Jack Hendry awaiting a diagnosis on what the French tactician described as a ‘big injury’ to his knee against the Reds.

Carlos Salvachua heads into his first Melbourne Derby as Victory head coach after securing the inaugural Hyundai A-League point of his tenure in 2-2 draw with the Premiers, Glory, last week.

A 90th-minute Nick D’Agostino goal robbed the Navy Blue of an upset win at HBF Park and ninth-placed Victory go again in search of their maiden Hyundai A-League victory of the Salvachua era on Friday night.