The Big Match: Which Melbourne will claim Victory on derby day?

It's Football Federation Australia's (FFA) dream date - a semi-final match-up between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City at a packed Etihad Stadium, all for a place in the grand final. But has City bitten off more than it can chew by making it this far? Victory has been the championship favourite for some time now and would delight in stomping on its "little brother" on the way to the grand final. We tell you all you need to know about Friday night's big game.

Melbourne derby combatants Patrick Kisnorbo (L) and Besart Berisha (R) face off during Round 11. (Getty) Source: Getty Images

The records show it is very difficult to make it to the grand final if you don't finish first or second in the regular season. Premier's Plate-winning Victory is out to continue that trend. City is trying to buck it.

Why you should watch it

The atmosphere will be electric as the two Melbourne teams meet in a finals match for the first time and in front of a huge crowd.

Victory is the established southern powerhouse of the A-League, while City is newer but on the rise due to huge financial backing. City wants the crown that Victory will scratch and claw not to give up.

There will be no shortage of great attacking players on show - mostly from Victory, but City provides a few as well.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat is always great sideline entertainment.

What happened last time they played

Victory attackers Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and Fahid Ben Khalfallah each scored in a 3-0 win in front of 40,042 people at Etihad Stadium on 7 February.

It was 1-0 at halftime and the game was wrapped up by midway through the second half.

City had twice as many shots at goal as Victory (14 to seven), but 11 of those were from outside the penalty box.

Victory made the more meaningful inroads into the box, backed those moves up with sharp finishing and was rewarded with goals.

Key battles

City captain Patrick Kisnorbo and his fellow defenders did a good job against Wellington's attack last weekend, but, let's face it, Wellington's attack had been out of sorts going into the game and was tentative during it.

Phoenix still got down the other end to be a threat often enough, though.

Victory's attack isn't out of sorts and won't be tentative. City's defence will face a huge task trying to stop Berisha, Barbarouses, Ben Khalfallah and Gui Finkler from opening it up as they come at it from all angles.

Aaron Mooy has been massive as a playmaker for City this season. He is their main man and, as such, will be heavily shadowed by Victory.

Mooy makes quick decisions on the ball and is very accurate with his passing. Victory, through the likes of Mark Milligan or whoever else is close enough to Mooy at the time, will make it a priority to try to restrict his influence by reducing his time on the ball and blocking the passing channels.

Why Victory will win

Because it is the best team in the competition on form this season and has a host of highly-skilled players who respond well to the big occasion.

The wide-open feel of Etihad Stadium suits Victory as well. It will come up with sweeping attacking movements that will stretch the City defence.

Why City will win

It would love to knock Victory off its perch. Being forced to play second fiddle in Melbourne has got to provide plenty of motivation for the City players.

There is a strange sort of arrogance about City. It didn't get up for the last two rounds of the regular season, when the results couldn't affect its finishing position, but did get up for the elimination final against Wellington when the result meant everything and won 2-0. It will be up for this one as well.

What the players are saying

Victory's Socceroos midfielder Carl Valeri said he and his teammates were looking forward to playing on the big stage that a packed Etihad Stadium provides.

"Etihad is just as much our home ground as AAMI Park," Valeri said. "We love Etihad and it's great because more fans get to come watch the game."

City big man Erik Paartalu said he and his teammates are buzzing about the opportunity to take part in such a big match.

"It's massive," Paartalu said. "It's probably going to be one of the biggest games in the A-League's history, as a spectacle, and to be part of it is going to be amazing."

What the coaches are saying

City coach John van't Schip said straight after the win over Wellington that the pressure was on Victory in this match.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat replied: "We know what's at stake tomorrow night and if that brings pressure, great, bring more pressure on because we want to be involved in the big games.

"One thing is for sure, we certainly know what's up for grabs and what we are playing for. We have prepared very well. This is where we wanted to be day one of pre-season. You would feel under pressure if you haven't prepared well, but I am very comfortable with our preparation."

Van't Schip says his players are ready to rock and roll against their biggest rival.

"The boys are up to it, we've showed in the past several times that we can play good games against Victory and this is not going to be a different game," He said.

"It's of course a finals game, so it's even bigger, but we're ready. The boys are fit and focused so it's just [a case of] enjoy the game and go for it and give all the best you have."

The villain

Kevin Muscat, to City fans. There isn't a coach in the A-League who features more on the television coverage and big screen at the ground than Muscat, who rolls with every punch, curses, gesticulates and gives the fourth official hell.

City fans will hate him.

The hero

Kevin Muscat, to Victory fans. This is the beauty of a derby match - you're either with them, or against them, there is no in-between. Muscat often roars disapproval at decisions that go against his team and celebrates enthusiastically when it scores a great goal.

Victory fans will love him.

The match in numbers

15- Number of times the clubs have met, going back to when City was Melbourne Heart, for six Victory wins, five Heart/City wins and four draws.

24 - Number of goals Victory has scored against Heart/City, which has scored 20.

8 - Number of goals Victory has put past City in three matches this season. 

4 - Number of wins City has against Victory in the clubs' last 10 matches. Victory has five, with one draw.

1 - Win to City over Victory this season, 1-0 in Round 11

The verdict

It will be a major shock if Victory doesn't advance to the grand final. It has more attacking class than City, which has some weaknesses Victory can exploit. Victory is also more dangerous from the bench, if its needs to find something from there.

Victory just has to avoid pushing too hard if it doesn't create an advantage early. Opposition teams sweat on getting turnovers from Victory and using the space that is left behind in which to counter-attack after Victory has committed players forward.

A fast-paced, but nevertheless balanced approach from Victory should see it eventually get on top and go on to win. It doesn't have to score early, but if it does it will put City under so much more pressure.