Jamie Maclaren of Melbourne City and Nick D'Agostino of Melbourne Victory pose during a media opportunity ahead of the Melbourne A-League Men's derby at Birrarung Marr

The first Melbourne derby of the season is tipped to attract the biggest crowd for an A-League match since Covid struck.

After two seasons badly interrupted by the pandemic, Melbourne Victory will host Melbourne City in a powerhouse showdown at AAMI Park on Saturday night that will showcase the league at its best.

The round-three game is verging on a sell-out and could pass the crowd figure of 24,105 that Wellington attracted for their return to New Zealand in May 2021.

Jamie Maclaren of Melbourne City and Nick D'Agostino of Melbourne Victory pose during a media opportunity ahead of the Melbourne A-League Men's derby at Birrarung Marr

Jamie Maclaren of Melbourne City and Nick D’Agostino of Melbourne Victory pose during a media opportunity ahead of the Melbourne A-League Men’s derby at Birrarung Marr

‘We are definitely very pleased to hear there’ll be a big crowd,’ Victory coach Tony Popovic said.

‘We want all our members to come as well, to enjoy a special night of football.

‘Our fans and members feel the rivalry and the passion, and in some respects there’s a hatred towards your opponent.

‘That’s what rivalries are, you want to beat your biggest rival when there’s two teams in the same town and that’s how it is around the world.’

Jamie Maclaren of City is pictured celebrating a goal during the round one A-League Men's match between Melbourne City and Western United

Jamie Maclaren of City is pictured celebrating a goal during the round one A-League Men’s match between Melbourne City and Western United

City have made a strong start to the season, beating reigning champions Western United and then winning 2-0 against Brisbane Roar last week, as they seek to atone for last season’s upset grand-final defeat.

Victory scored an impressive opening-round win against Sydney FC but suffered a home loss to Western United last week.

But Victory will enter the derby with confidence having stunned City 3-0 in their last derby in April.

Under previous management, Victory went down in record fashion to City in the 2020-21 season.

‘Before last year we spoke about some humiliating defeats for Melbourne Victory over a couple of years, and last season we said we wanted to be very competitive with Melbourne City, we want to show them that Melbourne Victory is back on track, and we did that in all three games,’ Popovic said.

‘We feel we’re on track to being a top team again, we are a big club.’

Victory head coach Tony Popovic is hoping for improvement from star signing Nani

Victory head coach Tony Popovic is hoping for improvement from star signing Nani

Superstar marquee signing Nani is yet to discover his best at Victory but Popovic is certain it will come.

‘He’s not a guy that makes any excuses he expects to be the best every day,’ Popovic said.

‘It has been his best week of training since has been at the club this week, in terms of being able to train every session … that’s clear progress for us.’

Luis Nani of the Victory kicks the ball during the round two A-League Men's match between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers

Luis Nani of the Victory kicks the ball during the round two A-League Men’s match between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers

City coach Patrick Kisnorbo said his team was excited for challenge and the atmosphere inside the stadium.

‘The more people and the more times that these big occasions happen, it’s great for our game and that’s what you want,’ he said.

‘You want our game to grow and and getting crowds like this helps us and the game.’

Meanwhile Western Sydney are happy and in winning form but coach Marko Rudan is determined not to let his side get complacent against early strugglers Brisbane.

Kusini Yengi of the Wanderers celebrates winning the round two A-League Men's match between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers

Kusini Yengi of the Wanderers celebrates winning the round two A-League Men’s match between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers

The Wanderers have started their A-League campaign with consecutive 1-0 wins over Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory ahead of the Roar’s visit to CommBank Stadium.

In contrast, Brisbane, including star English striker Charlie Austin, is yet to score, with a 0-0 draw against Macarthur and 2-0 loss to Melbourne City so far.

The Roar have also been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, coming under criticism for making drastic cuts to their academy system.

Jay O'Shea of the Roar takes a corner kick during the round two A-League Men's match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City

Jay O’Shea of the Roar takes a corner kick during the round two A-League Men’s match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City

Rudan expected the Queenslanders to stand up in Saturday’s clash.

‘They’ve played some good football and they’re going to be respected,’ Rudan told the Wanderers’ media.

‘They’ve got some very good players in that team and they’ve got a very good striker who’s been there and done that and they’ve got a solid defence.’

Winger Brandon Borrello said Western Sydney is high on confidence after the win away to the Victory.

Brandon Borrello of the Wanderers and Enrique Lopez of the Victory contest the ball during the round two A-League Men's match between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers

Brandon Borrello of the Wanderers and Enrique Lopez of the Victory contest the ball during the round two A-League Men’s match between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers

The Wanderers, who are hoping to end a five-season finals drought, have won their opening two games for the first time since 2019-20, and their first back-to-back wins since May 2021.

‘We’re all feeling that we’re the team to beat and the boss has drilled it into us, ‘keep level heads going into the next round’,’ Borrello said.

‘It’s definitely going to be a test, a mental test as well, but the boys are just looking at it as the exact same preparation as for Victory and Perth.’

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