A-League: Melbourne City Focus

Melbourne City will be out to bounce back in the new season following a disappointing 2023/24 A-League campaign by their own high standards.

City are used to being at the top of the ladder, winning titles, but only just managed to make it into the top six last season.

The season ended in disappointment, but now all the focus will be on getting back to the where they believe they belong, at the top of the ladder.

City can be backed at 6.00 to win the minor premiership, but the competition will be fierce against the likes of reigning premiers Central Coast Mariners.

Let’s take a look at how Melbourne City are shaping up heading into the new A-League season.

. What: 2024/25 A-League season
. Where: Venues across Australia and New Zealand
. When: October 2024 to May 2025
. How to watch: Paramount+, Channel 10
. Odds: Central Coast Mariners 5.00, Melbourne Victory 5.50, Melbourne City 6.00

City looking to bounce back

City had a season to forget in 2023/24 and the writing was on the wall from the very start.

They suffered an opening day defeat to Western United and were then hammered 6-0 by Adelaide United.

It could be argued they were suffering a hangover from their grand final defeat against Central Coast Mariners, but the trend continued.

City struggled for consistency and could not string the results together to get them challenging at the very top.

It looked at one point as though they could miss out on finals altogether, before a strong finish saw them edge into sixth spot.

However, they fell at the first hurdle in the worst possible fashion, losing the elimination final against arch rivals Melbourne Victory. That went to a penalty shoot-out with Victory winning 3-2.

It meant City had to go away and lick their wounds, but now they will be determined to bounce back in the season ahead.

Vidmar to target City recovery

City will be led by Aurelio Vidmar in the new season after the head coach penned a new contract with the club.

Vidmar has set about rebuilding his squad with a few big names leaving the club, while replacements have been brought in.

Among the players to leave the club is leading striker Jamie MacLaren, who has been key to the club’s success in recent seasons.

City were also hit by the news that attacking midfielder Tolgay Arslan also requested to leave the club.

Curtis Good, Nuno Reis and Vicente Fernandez also exited on free transfers.

However, there is some good news as Marco Tilio has extended his loan deal from Celtic, while Nathaniel Atkinson has also returned from Hearts on a free transfer.

Experienced central midfielder Andrea Kuen is also on board, along with winger Yonatan Cohen and centre-backs Kai Trewin and German Ferreyra.

It all means that City still have a squad capable of challenging for silverware in the season ahead.

Jets first on the agenda for City

City begin their season with a trip to take on the Newcastle Jets on Saturday 19th October.

They can be backed at 2.20 to start with a win, while the Jets are priced at 3.00 and the draw is available at 3.50.

Then, in just their second game of the season, City will entertain Melbourne Victory in the first derby of the campaign.