Preview: Melbourne Victory Host Adelaide United in A-League Clash

MELBOURNE, Australia (Interstat) — Melbourne Victory will look to build on a vital road win when they host a struggling Adelaide United in an A-League match on Saturday.

The Victory (3-4-2) snapped a three-match losing streak with a 1-0 victory at Macarthur last Friday. That result provided a needed boost for a squad that had been outscored 9-2 during losses to Brisbane Roar, Sydney and Melbourne City in November.

“We showed resilience to get that result on the road,“ Victory coach Tony Popovic said. “Now the challenge is to back it up at home in front of our supporters.“

Adelaide United (3-6-0) arrives at AAMI Park in poor form, having lost three consecutive matches across all competitions. Most recently, they fell 1-0 at home to Brisbane Roar last Sunday. Their struggles include a 2-1 defeat to Cambodian side Kampong Speu Province in Asian competition on Nov. 28, though they routed Melbourne City 4-1 on Nov. 21.

“We are creating chances but not taking them,“ Adelaide coach Carl Veart said. “In this league, you get punished for that. We need to be more clinical immediately.“

The statistical service Interstat projects a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

Historically, this fixture is one of the A-League’s fiercest rivalries, known as the Original Derby. The teams will meet again in Adelaide on Jan. 17.

Key to Melbourne’s hopes will be converting home-field advantage into three points. Their home record is a mixed 1-2-1 this season, including a 5-2 thrashing by Newcastle in October. Adelaide’s road form is equally shaky at 1-4-0, with their sole away win coming at Sydney in October.

Adelaide will aim to exploit a Victory defense that has conceded multiple goals in four matches this season. Melbourne, however, will look to pressure an Adelaide side that has been shut out in two of its last three outings.

Following this match, Melbourne faces a derby at Melbourne City on Dec. 20. Adelaide travels to Perth Glory the same day.

Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. local time (0845 GMT) on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.