Melbourne derby set to electrify A-League Round 1, with Marvel Stadium set for reconfiguration

Melbourne fans won’t have to wait long for derby action with the highly anticipated clash between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City to kickstart a new-look A-League season.

An electric Melbourne derby will headline the opening round of the A-League season, with Marvel Stadium’s grandstands to be brought in for the first time in two years.

Melbourne Victory fans will be closer to the action this season, with the Docklands venue’s stands coming in for four of their five home fixtures.

Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City will lock horns with new coaches and new-look squads for their Round 1 clash, with several more derbies set to follow in ensuing weeks with the arrival of a third Victorian club.

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This Melbourne Victory versus Adelaide United clash was the last time the stands were brought in at Marvel Stadium.

Western United will wait until Round 2 to play its first home game at Kardinia Park, after a potentially spicy opening weekend trip to Wellington Phoenix.

United pinched coach Mark Rudan, captain Andrew Durante, A-League goalkeeper of the year Fiip Kurto and rookie sensation Max Burgess from the Kiwis.

Melbourne City host Adelaide United in their opening home game of the season at AAMI Park.

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The A-League fixture is due to be released early next week, as venues are signed off and negotiations continue with Fox Sports and potential Free-to-Air partners.

It comes as the A-League prepares to officially become independent on Thursday, in a huge development for the local game.

Melbourne Victory’s Leigh Broxham (left) and City’s Scott Jamieson will lock horns again in a feisty Round 1 derby.

FFA chiefs refused to comment when contacted about the fixture, with Round 1 due to kick off on October 11, after the AFL and NRL grand finals.

The grand final is set down for May 17, in a season where the A-League will play through FIFA breaks as byes return for the first time since 2010-11.

Western Sydney will feature in a prime time Saturday slot several times in their return to Parramatta Stadium (Bankwest Stadium), which was rocking for the Wanderers’ friendly with Leeds United last week.

Stormtroopers pose before the Round 10 A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United.

Victory fans by enlarge prefer AAMI Park, but the move to reconfigure Marvel Stadium should go down well with the club’s growing fanbase.

The last time the terraces were brought in was Victory’s 2017-18 Round 10 clash with Adelaide United — the Star Wars round.

A-League chiefs are kicking off the season with a bang, with a Sydney derby featuring in the opening rounds of the season.