Western United FC vs Melbourne City FC, A League 2023-24 REGULAR SEASON
Overview
Match Preview
Western United FC vs Melbourne City FC — A League at AAMI Park.
- Western United FC 0 games · 0 pts (2026/27)
- Melbourne City FC 26 games · 38 pts (2026/27)
Match Details
- Referee Kearney Robinson
- Referee Ben Abraham
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle United Jets FC | 26 | 48 |
| 2 | Adelaide United FC | 26 | 43 |
| 3 | Auckland FC | 26 | 42 |
| 4 | Melbourne Victory FC | 26 | 40 |
| 5 | Sydney FC | 26 | 39 |
| 6 | Melbourne City FC | 26 | 38 |
| 7 | Macarthur FC | 26 | 34 |
| 8 | Wellington Phoenix FC | 26 | 33 |
| 9 | Central Coast Mariners FC | 26 | 32 |
| 10 | Perth Glory FC | 26 | 31 |
| 11 | Brisbane Roar FC | 26 | 26 |
| 12 | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | 26 | 21 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Jan | Melbourne City FC | H | 1–2 | L |
| 30 Dec | Newcastle United Jets FC | A | 0–2 | L |
| 23 Dec | Sydney FC | A | 2–4 | L |
| 15 Dec | Brisbane Roar FC | H | 2–1 | W |
| 08 Dec | Central Coast Mariners FC | A | 0–4 | L |
| 02 Dec | Wellington Phoenix FC | H | 0–1 | L |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Jan | Western United FC | A | 2–1 | W |
| 28 Dec | Brisbane Roar FC | H | 8–1 | W |
| 23 Dec | Melbourne Victory FC | H | 0–0 | D |
| 17 Dec | Central Coast Mariners FC | H | 3–3 | D |
| 08 Dec | Perth Glory FC | A | 2–1 | W |
| 03 Dec | Newcastle United Jets FC | A | 2–0 | W |
Key Stats
60%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (15 games)
H2H (15 games)
67%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
Events
Match Events
- 0' Temperatures are rising at AAMI Park as Western United FC face off against Melbourne City FC in what promises to be a fascinating contest.
- 5' The travelling Melbourne City FC supporters hardly appreciate their team being pressed down to the backline.
- 10' The clock is ticking and both teams know a goal could change everything at this point.
- 13' Michael Ruhs adds to his 0 season tally! Western United FC lead 1-0 — and this changes everything.
- 18' The 29-year-old Marin Jakolis has been sensational this season — 0 goals and 0 assists is a remarkable return.
- 23' Jake Najdovski has certainly something to prove this evening. He made 0 appearances with only 0 goals this season.
- 28' Western United FC are enjoying more possession but struggling to find a way through a disciplined Melbourne City FC backline.
- 33' Melbourne City FC are happy to let the opposition have the ball in their own half. The trap is set.
- 38' Although teams showed high tempo form the start, they seem to slow down a bit. Both sides really need to catch a fire. Otherwise, we have another goalless match.
- 43' will be watching from the dugout nervously. His Western United FC side need to improve if they are to claim all three points.
- 48' A moment of individual brilliance could settle this. Both teams are waiting for that decisive action.
- 50' Controversy at the stadium! Steven Lustica argues furiously but the card stands.
- 52' Goal! Hamza Sakhi scores his 18 goal in 437 matches.
- 57' Jamie MacLaren needs to be pretty careful with his discipline considering 0 Red cards this season.
- 58' The Melbourne City FC bench stirs into life. Marin Jakolis is withdrawn and Benjamin Mazzeo gets his opportunity.
- 63' looks like a favorite considering 0 games won in last 0 matches with its main striker scoring goals.
- 68' Western United FC are deployed in a today, looking to exploit space against Melbourne City FC's shape.
- 70' Western United FC make a change. Steven Lustica trudges off to be replaced by Rhys Bozinovski on 70 minutes.
- 74' Time for substitution for Melbourne City FC. Hamza Sakhi is replaced by Terry Antonis.
- 79' Over 79 minutes have gone by without a meaningful attack. The supporters want more.
- 82' Controversy at the stadium! Angus Thurgate argues furiously but the card stands.
- 83' Magnificent from Terry Antonis! That is 10 goals in 210 appearances — and it could not have come at a better time.
- 88' It’s high time John Aloisi made some changes to put the his team’s game back to action.
- 90' Western United FC ring the changes. Noah Botic has done his job and it is now time for Ramy Najjarine to step up.
- The final whistle goes. A composed, disciplined performance from Melbourne City FC to claim maximum points.
Lineups
Western United FC Lineups
Starting XI
- 32
- 17
- 6
-
8
Lachlan Wales ↓ Jake Najdovski 90'
- 27
- 11
- 10
-
9
Michael Ruhs ↓ Matthew Grimaldi 90'
- 19
-
38
Noah Botic ↓ Ramy Najjarine 90'
- 1
Bench
- 24
- 33
-
7
Ramy Najjarine ↑ 90'
-
42
Rhys Bozinovski ↑ 70'
- 22
-
39
Matthew Grimaldi ↑ 90'
-
49
Jake Najdovski ↑ 90'
Coach
John Aloisi
Melbourne City FC Lineups
Starting XI
-
8
Hamza Sakhi ↓ Terry Antonis 74'
- 1
- 2
- 9
- 11
- 22
-
44
Marin Jakolis ↓ Benjamin Mazzeo 58'
- 25
- 10
- 21
- 26
Bench
-
17
Terry Antonis ↑ 74'
-
6
Steven Ugarkovic ↑ 74'
- 18
- 33
- 45
- 37
-
46
Benjamin Mazzeo ↑ 58'
Coach
Mike van Houten
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Jamie MacLaren | 16 |
| Besart Berisha | 4 |
| Andrew Nabbout | 3 |
| Leo Lacroix | 3 |
| Lachlan Wales | 2 |
| Rene Krhin | 2 |
| Nicolas Milanovic | 1 |
| Alessandro Diamanti | 1 |
Head to Head
Western United FC Form
2024-01-07
Western United FC
1–2
Melbourne City FC
L
2023-12-30
Newcastle United Jets FC
2–0
Western United FC
L
2023-12-23
Sydney FC
4–2
Western United FC
L
2023-12-15
Western United FC
2–1
Brisbane Roar FC
W
2023-12-08
Central Coast Mariners FC
4–0
Western United FC
L
2023-12-02
Western United FC
0–1
Wellington Phoenix FC
L
Melbourne City FC Form
2024-01-07
Western United FC
1–2
Melbourne City FC
W
2023-12-28
Melbourne City FC
8–1
Brisbane Roar FC
W
2023-12-23
Melbourne City FC
0–0
Melbourne Victory FC
D
2023-12-17
Melbourne City FC
3–3
Central Coast Mariners FC
D
2023-12-08
Perth Glory FC
1–2
Melbourne City FC
W
2023-12-03
Newcastle United Jets FC
0–2
Melbourne City FC
W
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
3 / 4
1.14
Western United FC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.56
Melbourne City FC xG
I would bet for:
Markets are evenly balanced — no clear value pick.
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Melbourne City FC win
Both Teams to Score
✓ Correct
Avg goals/match: 2.7
Actual: Yes — both scored
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 91% |
|
9% |
| ± 1.5 | 75% |
|
25% |
| ± 2.5 | 50% |
|
50% |
| ± 3.5 | 29% |
|
71% |
| ± 4.5 | 14% |
|
86% |
Double Chance
Western United FC or Draw
54%
Draw or Melbourne City FC
73%
Western United FC or Melbourne City FC
73%
Half-Time Result
✗ WrongActual: Western United FC win at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
1 – 1
12.8%
0 – 1
9.5%
1 – 2
Actual
0 – 0
8.6%
0 – 2
8%
1 – 0
6.6%
2 – 1
6.6%
2 – 2
5.2%
1 – 3
4.7%
2 – 0
4.3%
0 – 3
4.1%
2 – 3
2.8%
Asian Handicap — Western United FC
| Handicap | Western United FC covers | Push | Melbourne City FC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 3% | — | 97% |
| -2 | 3% | 7% | 89% |
| -1.5 | 11% | — | 89% |
| -1 | 11% | 16% | 73% |
| -0.5 | 27% | — | 73% |
| +0.5 | 54% | — | 46% |
| +1 | 54% | 22% | 24% |
| +1.5 | 76% | — | 24% |
| +2 | 76% | 14% | 10% |
| +2.5 | 90% | — | 10% |
Clean Sheet
Western United FC keeps clean sheet
22%
✓
Melbourne City FC keeps clean sheet
33%
✓
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.