A-League Betting Odds Preview: Derby Rivalry Hits Melbourne on Saturday

After the two Sydney teams broke records by attracting 62,000 fans to last week's derby, it is Melbourne, Australia's, turn to turn on the football rivalry when Melbourne Victory host Melbourne City at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The Melbourne Derby, born when then Melbourne Heart entered the competition in 2010, has been the preeminent domestic fixture of the A-League in recent seasons, but the challenge is firmly out there after the stunning success of the Sydney FC vs. Western Sydney Wanderers match last week.

They won't get 62,000 at Etihad—the capacity is around 55,000—but there will be a terrific atmosphere for this fixture that represents Tim Cahill's A-League debut. The Cahill factor certainly gives this match an edge. Such is the nature of the round-ball game, 40,000 Victory fans were cheering him in the Socceroos' 1-1 draw with Japan on Tuesday, but he will be enemy No. 1 on Saturday.

These two teams are co-favorites to win the championship, according to AustralianGambling, after City's 1-0 win away to Wellington saw them get a two-point advantage over Victory, who threw away a winning start to the season when Brisbane equalized with the last kick of the game.

According to website AustralianGambling, Victory are marginal favorites at $2.45, with City at $2.60, while the draw is at $3.60. On the selection side, Victory get back Marco Rojas but lose James Troisi to a shoulder injury. Similarly, while Cahill comes in for City, they will be without first-choice goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who is suspended.

For those who think Cahill can open his A-League account with the first goal, you can get $7 on that. History tells us there will be plenty of goals in the game. Both teams have scored in the past three derbies, while there have been a minimum of three goals in the past five derbies and eight of the past nine.

That match is far from the only highlight of the weekend, which kicks off with a Grand Final rematch between Adelaide and Western Sydney Wanderers. United would have been disappointed by only getting a draw away to the Jets and will relish being back at their home ground. They are $2.05 to defeat the Wanderers, who were absolutely outclassed when beaten 4-0 by Sydney FC last week.

Where are the Wanderers at this week? Well they are in the midst of a rebuild and are $3.40 outsiders for this one. The draw is at $3.50.

Sydney looks like a real contender based on their opening-round win, and they look to have found a good one with Bobo. They are a short-priced favorite at $1.36 to beat the Central Coast Mariners, who overturned a 3-0 deficit to get a point away at Perth. If they show that spirit again, the $7.50 on a Mariners win and the $5 on a draw might prove good value.

The two Sunday games see the Jets host the Roar, with the Roar $2.30 top picks, the draw at $3.40 and a home Jets win at $2.90.

The Glory will be hoping to secure the full complement when they host Wellington, with the Glory at $1.67 to bank the three points. The Phoenix are $5 to prevail, while the draw is at $3.75. Interestingly, the past four matches between these two have been won by the away side.