Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City: match preview

Michael Flynn 1581369861,1581370045

There is more than just bragging rights on the line on Sunday when the Westfield W-League’s most in-form sides clash in blockbuster Melbourne Derby on Sunday.

League-leaders Melbourne City have been unbeatable all season as they seek to win their first Premiership title since 2015/16 and will be boosted by the return of their Westfield Matildas stars for the clash at Lakeside Stadium.

While the attacking exploits of leading goal scorer Emily van Egmond and Serbian attacker Milica Mijatovic will prove a handful, it is in defence where Rado Vidosic’s side have proved most indomitable this season, having not shipped a goal to any opponent in their last five outings – a run that started with their 1-0 win over the Victory in December.

However, Jeff Hopkins’ side are a different prospect since that meeting after riding a five-game unbeaten run to storm into the top four – with taslimanic captain Natasha Dowie in red-hot form after finding the back of the net in her last three matches, including a dominant 3-0 last-start win over Canberra United.

Depending on the outcome of Saturday's Sydney Derby, the Victory can also potentially move as high as second on the table with a win over their rivals and will be further spurred on by the prospect of Hopkins potentially becoming the first coach in the Westfield W-League to record 50 wins in the competition.