Both teams had positive results during their mid-week fixtures this week. On Tuesday night, a Milos Lujic goal deep into injury time gave South a 3-2 win against Green Gully at Lakeside Stadium. On Wednesday night, the Knights came from a goal down to level 1-1 with League leaders Bentleigh Greens, before goalkeeper Chris May saved a Bentleigh spot kick in second half injury time.
Chris Taylor’s side are currently in second place on the NPL Victoria ladder, two points behind the leading Bentleigh. The Knights are in outright fourth position on the ladder but will be looking to edge closer to Bentleigh, South and Heidelberg.
The two teams have already met on three occasions across three separate competitions in 2015. In all three matches, the Knights took the lead before South won with late goals. On 13 February, South won the FFV Community Shield 2-1 at Knights Stadium before winning the League meeting at Lakeside Stadium on 11 April by the same scoreline. Most recently on 5 June at Lakeside Stadium, two late goals from Nick Epifano sealed a dramatic 3-1 FFA Cup win against the Knights.
South Melbourne and the Melbourne Knights have enjoyed a long footballing rivalry that began when South Melbourne Hellas played Croatia on 21 April 1962 at Middle Park (a 6-0 win for South). The clubs have played 96 League matches against each other, with South winning 48 games, the Knights 25 and with 23 drawn matches.
Sunday’s derby match kicks off at 3pm at Knights Stadium. For those unable to make the game, it can be followed on the Club’s official Facebook and Twitter with the handles #SMFC and #PS4NPLVIC.