With Melbourne City FC’s 2018/19 Hyundai A-League fixture released, we take a look at the standout matches and the fixtures to look forward to ahead of the new season.
A blockbuster home opener
Melbourne City’s title quest will begin with two away matches, before the side returns to AAMI Park for back-to-back Friday night clashes in Round 3 and 4.
Round 3 will see Melbourne City FC host their first home match of the 2018/19 season with a blockbuster clash under lights against reigning premiers Sydney FC at AAMI Park on November 2, before returning on November 9 to face Wellington Phoenix.
It will be a tough opening home fixture for the boys in City blue as they host the reining premiers, but a chance presents itself for Warren Joyce’s men to send a stern early message to the competition – a task that will be made a whole lot easier with the passionate City fans in attendance.
Tis the season for the Derby
City will host their annual Christmas Derby against cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on December 22, kick-off 7:50pm.
Warren Joyce’s men will be looking to redeem themselves following last season’s festive season defeat, were they were dealt a cruel blow going down 1-0 to a late penalty.
If history is anything to go by, the Melbourne Derby is one of the most entertaining fixtures in the league as the two teams battle for the cities bragging rights.
Combining the joys of the festive season with football, this is set to be one of the most anticipated fixtures in the competition.
Jam-packed January
City will feature in a host of games over the summer of football and school holidays period, beginning from the end of December right through to the end of January.
Our annual Christmas Derby will kick-off the school holidays on December 22, before the team prepares for a bumper January, which will see them play seven matches – an exciting yet challenging period.
The make-or-break period will see the Club host five games at AAMI Park,including fixtures against arch rivals Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory and concluding with an enthralling fixture against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Between City’s January 11 fixture against Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park in Round 12 and their January 26 trip to Wellington in Round 16, the team will play five games in 15 days in a period that is set to shape their season.
New Years Day in Wanderland
For the second successive season, Western Sydney Wanderers will host Melbourne City on New Year’s Day.
The Tuesday night match that is set to take place at ANZ Stadium gives the boys in City blue the opportunity to open the New Year with a win.
As January could prove to be a crucial month for City’s title hopes, the New Year’s Day blockbuster is already shaping up to be not only an enthralling clash, but a decisive one too.
The Run Home
It’s difficult to predict the quality of the opposition three months out from the beginning of the season, but if recent history is anything to go by City’s final six matches of the Hyundai A-League season appear to be a mixed bag.
In Round 22, Joyce’s men will travel to the historic Sydney Cricket Ground to face the reigning premiers Sydney FC, before returning back to Sydney in Round 23 after the FIFA Break to face the Wanderers at ANZ Stadium.
Two potentially difficult trips to New South Wales will be followed by two consecutive matches in front of the home fans at AAMI Park when City face Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United respectively – two teams which are likely to be vying for a finals position.
In Round 26, City will travel to Westpac Stadium to face Wellington Phoenix before closing out the regular season with a Friday night clash against Central Coast Mariners.
Three home matches in the last four to round out the season – what a pivotal run home that could prove to be come the end of the season.
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