Sydney vs Melbourne City Prediction: Golden boot boost for Lolley as he regains goalscoring touch

A 1-0 defeat at home to Newcastle Jets before the March international break has dented Melbourne City's pursuit of a top-two finish, with Aurelio Vidmar's side now four points behind second-place Western United, although they do have a game in hand on the Tarneit club.

Next up is a trip to Allianz Stadium on Saturday (06:00, TNT Sports 4) to take on Sydney FC, who are one spot and three points off Adelaide United (sixth), who occupy the final play-off spot. Below are my Sydney vs Melbourne City predictions, complete with all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Back-up goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne missed his side's 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix on March 16 with a knock but has recovered sufficiently to be named in Ufuk Talay's extended squad this weekend.

Also back in the fold are German midfielder Anas Ouahim and 19-year-old full-back Zac De Jesus, while centre-back Alex Popovic, who missed out due to osteitis pubis for several weeks, is also back and available for selection.

Football Odds

However, captain and record appearance maker Rhyan Grant is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards.

Aaron Gurd (collarbone) and Kyle Shaw (hamstring) are continuing their rehab after injury, but Josh Sotirio is available despite picking up a slight knock that ruled him out of seeing minutes with New Caledonia in their World Cup Qualifiers.

Gus Hoefsloot, meanwhile, hasn't been selected.

There are plenty of changes to Vidmar's Melbourne City squad from their defeat to the Jets earlier this month. Yonatan Cohen (calf) and German Ferreyra (concussion) are both back from short-term absences, but Mathew Leckie (calf), James Nieuwenhuzien (knee) and Steven Ugarkovic (suspension) will all miss out for the visitors.

Jimmy Jeggo (Achilles), Andrew Nabbout and Jayden Necovski (both knee) are still sidelined for City, who have called Alessandro Lopane, Ben Mazzeo and Lachie Charles into their extended squad.

Sydney vs Melbourne City Odds

Sydney are unbeaten in their last nine games across all competitions, although they've only won two of their last five in the ALM, drawing the other three. Still, Saturday's hosts have been installed as 6/5 favourites against City, implying a 45.5% win probability, while the visitors are 9/5, or a 35.7% chance, to return to winning ways.

The two teams haven't played each other yet this season, but their last meeting in February last year saw the sides draw 1-1, and you can back another stalemate at 12/5 this weekend.

Both teams to score is priced at 8/15, and Sydney's Patryk Klimala (13/8) heads the anytime goalscorer market, followed by teammate Joe Lolley (9/5) and City striker Max Caputo (15/8).

Anytime Goalscorer - Joe Lolley (SYD) @ 9/5

Only Noah Botic (11 goals) is ahead of Sydney star Lolley (nine) in the race for the 2024/25 ALM Golden Boot, but a four-game barren run in the competition for the latter means all the momentum is with the Western United striker and some of the other nine-goal forwards, namely Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers) and Hiroshi Ibusuki (Western United).

Lolley's position at the top of the scoring charts seemed assured after he hit a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Perth Glory on January 8, but the 32-year-old has scored just once in his last nine league appearances.

Despite his struggles in front of goal, I'm backing Lolley to reach double figures on Saturday.

As one of the most talented players in the league, I feel it's only a matter of time before things start to click again for the former Huddersfield Town man, who has two career strikes against City.

Match Result & Both Teams to Score - Draw & Yes @ 3/1

I'm finding it difficult to separate these sides who both look primed for a top-six finish this season. Sydney finished two points above City in 2023/24, and there are only four between the two teams heading into this term's final six rounds of fixtures.

The Sky Blues have drawn 30% (six) of their 20 league games this season and have seen three of their last five finish in a stalemate, while 20% (four) of City's have ended on level terms - three away from home.

Both head-to-heads at Allianz Stadium last year failed to see a winner and we could be on for another stalemate on Saturday.

I'm adding in both teams to score, too, despite it landing in just 30% of City's matches this season. It's 65% for Sydney, rising to 80% at home, and their last five games at Allianz Stadium have seen at least one goal for either side; their last two have ended in a score draw. (3-3 v WSW, 1-1 v Wellington Phoenix).

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