- Alamein FC have won 8, drawn 1, and lost 6 of their 15 NPL Victoria Women fixtures in 2026, leaving them 6th on 25 points, just outside the top four.
- Melbourne City NPL have won only 2, drawn 1, and lost 12 of their 15 NPL Victoria Women matches, leaving them 13th on 7 points.
- Alamein FC beat Melbourne City NPL 4-0 away in the only previous NPL Victoria Women matchup between the clubs this season.
City in crisis
Alamein FC are Victoria's only all-female club with a full NPL Women pathway to support their senior side, and 2026 is the first season that Melbourne City's academy side has taken to the pitch in the NPL Women.
On Saturday, Alamein face their biggest test of the season when they take on a NPL Women side, desperate for a win to remain in the finals race, while Melbourne City NPL need all three points to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone.
Alamein boss John Kyrgios has had an excellent first season at the helm at Alamein, turning the club into a pragmatic outfit that sets the pace and dominates games with a direct, high-tempo approach to the game. Alamein's ball-denial and aggressive pressing makes them extremely difficult to play against, while they strike quickly and with lightening pace when in possession, particularly when their pacey forward line gets onto the break.
Alamein’s attacking talent to shine
Emma Runnalls, Alamein's vice-captain, was on fire last time out, scoring in the last match. The Alamein midfielder is a key attacking player, particularly on set pieces and in transition, and City will need to keep her marked at all times.
Alamein are a different proposition when Jordyn Toms-Wedge and Zoe Houghton are both fit and firing, the latter being the club's top scorer last season while the former sealed their latest win.
Melbourne City NPL boss Jorge Gero has done a fantastic job with his young squad this season, as 2026 is the city's first with a women's academy, and his players display an excellent philosophy of patient, possession-based football.
City's best games have come when they've been able to control the tempo in the middle third, but City's young back four will surely struggle to defend against the ball-denial and counter-attacking style of Alamein.
Back the home side
Melbourne City NPL's last five league games have seen them winless in four straight defeats, followed by a draw last time out, so the odds look stacked in favour of an Alamein win on Saturday. Dali Gorr Burchmore has been excellent in goal for City, but this is a clear sign of the frailties of the rest of the side.
City's approach to the game will focus on patient, possession-heavy football, and we expect Alamein's superior speed and form to take advantage. Backing the draw at 6.5 looks a great bet here, as does over 2.5 goals at 1.13.
The weather should also help, with sunny, mild conditions promising an entertaining clash at the Dorothy Laver Reserve.
