Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City met four times last season, with the navy blues proving themselves superior on three occasions – most memorably in a 3-0 win in a semi-final clash that ended City's season and set Victory up for their grand final triumph over Sydney a week later.

City boss John van 't Schip is determined that, this campaign, the sky blue and whites will provide far more competition for Kevin Muscat's men. If they are to challenge for the title and take Victory's crown they will have to be much better than they have been at Etihad Stadium, where last season they conceded 11 goals in three games, scoring only twice in reply.

Van 't Schip is looking to the return of Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy to the starting line-up in place of Jason Trifiro to give City the drive and creativity they lacked against Victory last season, when they won only one of the four clashes – and that coming from a stoppage-time header from Erik Paartalu when the two teams looked to be heading for a scoreless draw at AAMI Park.

There is speculation former Socceroo Michael Zullo, who is one of a number of new signings this season, could make is A-League debut for the team either from the start or off the bench.