- Melbourne Knights are 2nd in NPL Victoria 2 on 35 points from 17 games, FC Melbourne Serbia are 10th on 23 points from 16.
- Melbourne Knights have avoided defeat in their last 2 away games (Won 1, Drawn 1).
- Melbourne Knights won the only previous meeting of the season between the two clubs 2-0 at home in NPL Victoria 2 3 months ago.
Melbourne Knights to edge derby
The Melbourne Knights are 8 places and 12 points better off than their Serbian hosts Melbourne Serbia in NPL Victoria 2, so it is no surprise to see the visitors priced as favourites for this intra-Melbourne derby at 1.58. The hosts are underdogs at 4.61, but there is plenty of value to be found in the over 2.5 goals market at 1.64 as two sides look to take the game to each other.
Melbourne Knights have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five league games. The Knights are winless in two, however, following a 1-0 home defeat to Brunswick Juventus FC in their most recent fixture. Melbourne Serbia are unbeaten in five, with three wins and two draws in NPL Victoria 2, most recently seeing off North Sunshine Eagles SC 2-1 away from home. Melbourne Serbia have been the better side at home this season, winning two, drawing one and losing none of their last three.
The contrasting styles of these two sides should ensure that this derby game is wide open and full of incident, as Melbourne Knights are a possession-based team who like to press high up the pitch and build up play in a structured and patient manner. Melbourne Serbia, on the other hand, are a much more pragmatic team who look to sit deep and remain compact, then hit opponents on the counter with their best players. The contrast between the styles of these sides, and the fact that this game is between two different sections of the Croatian-Serbian community, makes this a derby game with added spice to the recipe.
Melbourne Knights should have enough
Given the differing styles of the two teams, Saturday's game should be a battle of possession versus counter, with the Knights dominating possession and the hosts looking to frustrate, pick their moments, and hit on the break. Melbourne Serbia have been very tough to beat lately, but we're backing the Knights to just edge this one out as they did when the teams met three months ago. However, Melbourne Serbia's defensive solidity should ensure that this won't be a blowout, and they could even nick a goal on the bounce at some stage.
