Lisa De Vanna to lead Melbourne City in their first ever W-League match

Melbourne City kick off their inaugural W-League season against competition hardened Sydney FC on the artificial turf of Lambert Park, Leichhardt.

Expect the usual fight from Sydney FC as they look to build on their football from last season with a list of familiar names on the roster.

Sydney boast five Matildas from the recent FIFA Women's World Cup including goalscorer Kyah Simon, defensive linchpin Alanna Kennedy and experienced striker Leena Khamis returning from injury.

The Sydney midfield will again be one of the strongest in the W-League led captain Teresa Polias pairing up with Nicola Bolger.

Defensively the Sky Blues have seen improvements with the coup of Kennedy from Perth Glory who will be linking up with Renee Rollason, Teigen Allen and Lizzie Ralston, with the tussle for starting positions tight.

International Jasmyne Spencer returns again for Sydney lead the attack and her pace with a fully match fit Simon and Amy Harrison will provide the Sky Blues with increased options.

Spencer is joined in Australia by fellow American, Michelle Betos. Betos is coming off a Goalkeeper of the Year season with the NWSL and she forms the final chink in Sydney FC's armour.

It is a much anticipated debut from Melbourne City who recruited big in the off-season to create a powerhouse side.

With names like Lisa De Vanna, Bri Davey, Steph Catley, Larissa Crummer and Laura Alleway, City will be strong from defence to attack with every line filled with quality.

Then they named Seattle Reign midfield pair Jess Fishlock and Kim Little and the sun exploded (okay not quite).

The impact of Fishlock is known to W-League fans as her dynamic movement and smart passing secured Melbourne Victory the trophy in 2013. Those not familiar with Little are in for a treat as she will surely grace the highlight reels of the 2015/16 season.

In a stroke of good fortune for the hosts, City will be missing superstars Little and Fishlock who are yet to arrive to Australian shores.

However with a deep bench and electric goalscorer De Vanna prepped to go, the missing internationals will not be a major concern for City.

But this will be no walk in the park.

It is a match, with all the pace and attacking power on offer, set up to be 90 minutes of attack and counter-attack with the team best able to control the pace having the advantage.

With hot weather predicted for Sunday and a hot encounter is expected for the exciting opening round in the Battle of the sky blues.

Sydney FC v Melbourne City

Sunday 18 October 2015

Lambert Park, Sydney

Local kick-off: 5.30pm

Sydney FC squad: Sham Khamis (gk), Teigen Allen, Renee Rollason, Alanna Kennedy, Teresa Polias (c), Jasmyne Spencer, Nicola Bolger, Leena Khamis, Kyah Simon, Amy Harrison, Elizabeth Ralston, Ellyse Perry, Natalie Tobin, Trudy Camilleri, Sunny Franco, Michelle Betos (gk)

Unavailable: Princess Ibini, Olivia Price (ankle)

Melbourne City squad: 2. Monique Iannella, 3. Alex Chidiac, 5. Laura Alleway, 6. Aivi Luik, 7. Stephanie Catley, 9. Larissa Crummer, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 12. Olivia Ellis, 13. Rebekah Stott, 14. Melina Ayres, 15. Amy Jackson, 16. Beatrice Goad, 17. Marianna Tabain, 18. Anisa Guajardo, 20. Trudy Burke (GK), Kelsey Quinn (gk)

Unavailable:  none