Players to watch in the Melbourne Derby

Ahead of a massive Melbourne Derby, we take a look at 3 players from each club who could make the difference this weekend. 

Melbourne Victory - Chris Ikonimides

Ikonimides should be back in the Melbourne Victory line-up this weekend, returning to fitness after picking up a knock in the opening game of the season. Ikonimides is one of the best players in the league when at full fitness and will cause Scott Jamieson a few headaches on the right. 

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Melbourne City - Matthew Leckie

Matthew Leckie hasn’t quite started to fire yet for Melbourne City but it’s just a matter of time and what better time to start than this weekend. With over 60 Socceroos caps and plenty of Bundesliga experience, Leckie should be one of the dominant players in the league this season and will look to expose the Victory defence which will be without first choice full-back Jason Davidson.

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Melbourne Victory - Roderick Miranda

Roderick Miranda has been a rock at the back so far this season, conceding 1 goal in the 2 games he’s played and scoring the winner against Western United in the season opener. It’ll be his biggest test this season coming up against the attacking quality of the champions with Maclaren, Nabbout & Leckie but if he can continue his impressive form, it'll give Victory a massive chance of taking something from this game. 

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Melbourne City - Nathaniel Atkinson

Nathaniel Atkinson burst onto the scene last season and is fresh from scoring the winner against Perth Glory last week. The young full-back has been used as an impact-sub so far this season but is staking a claim for a starting 11 spot with some impressive cameos. 

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Melbourne Victory - Nishan Velupillay

Nishan Velupillay has been Victory’s go-to man off the bench this season, coming on as a sub in each of the clubs 4 games this season. Velupillay found the back of the net for the first time this season with the winner against Adelaide last week, so the young forward will certainly be one to watch this week.

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Melbourne City - Jamie Maclaren

The three-time golden-boot winner will be looking to get on the scoresheet this week after a slowish start to the season with 1 goal in the opening 4 games. The last time Maclaren played against Victory he scored just the 5 and will be looking to fill his boots again this weekend.

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