After copping two beltings in the AFC Club Championships, Victory stuck to their guns resolutely against Western Sydney Wanderers to secure a point last week.

It was a big result for the club given their mixed fortunes so far this season and affirms last season's Premiers as contenders again this season, however tonight's test will arguably be their biggest.

Melbourne City lead the league after Sunday's 2-1 win away against reigning Champions Sydney FC.

It was a watershed result for the W-League heading into Christmas and given the relative position of both teams, adds further importance to this encounter.

“The Melbourne Derby is obviously going to be huge,” said McCormick.

“We’ll go into it focused as we do for every other game, but this is the one you really want to win.

“It will be a good battle – it will be exciting, physical and both teams will want it just as badly so I’m looking forward to it.”

McCormick, reiterating what coach Jeff Hopkins said last week, is focusing on isolating the positives out of the Korean experience and says it was important for her personal development.

“We only really had a month of training before our busy early season schedule, and it was tough to prepare for it all and be as fit and firing as we’d hope to be,” said McCormick.

“Despite the disappointing results, Korea was still a good experience overall.

“We took other aspects out of the trip as a group like team building, and I also personally found areas that I can improve in so to have those three games perhaps fast-tracked what we’re trying to do here in the W-League.

“We’re lucky to be able to have those extra games to continue working as a team and to fine tune everything we’re working on to hopefully help us in the long run.”

City coach Rado Vidosic insisted that his team will have no problem backing up last weekend's win in another tough encounter.

While it is nominally a City home match, it will be the first time both sets of Melbourne fans get to see their team in the state capital after a series of regional games across Victoria.

"We're coming off an important win but the focus is now on Melbourne Victory. They're a tough team to face and we know that we'll need to be at our best," he said.

"The team is looking forward to playing in Melbourne and we can't wait to play in front of our home fans."