Asia on the line for Melbourne this Saturday

Melbourne v Sydney is always a big game in the A-League. Big crowds, send-off's thrashings we've had the lot.

This Saturday's is bigger than most.

Should Melbourne win they would be six points clear with 8 to play. Who would bet against them finishing top of the league and grabbing that crucial first Asian Champions League qualification spot.

And that would mean Melbourne a club that plans better than most in the A-League would be guaranteed two years in the ACL before the finals even start.

Barcelona, Man Utd and the like are always in the Euro Champs League, and if Melbourne make it again they will more evidence to say they are Australia's biggest and best football club on and off the field.

If Melbourne score first, at home, they will win and Asia is theirs.