Victory head into their eighth meeting against city rivals Heart with just one triumph, which came more than two years ago when a Robbie Kruse brace helped them to a 3-1 win.

Postecoglou led former club Brisbane Roar to two A-League titles but has only experienced one A-League Melbourne derby - and that ended sourly.

Heart have emerged victorious in three of seven clashes and won 2-1 last time out in front of more than 42,000 fans at Etihad Stadium in Round 1.

"I guess the Round 1 defeat hammers it home to you," Postecoglou said after training on Friday. "We missed a great opportunity. We just didn't show it on the day.

"Tomorrow is another great opportunity to make some special memories for our football club, our fans and when those come along, you want to take them.

"I understand how important this is for everyone associated with our football club. The supporters want desperately to win. Everyone involved in our football club is desperate to win, as am I.

"We need to win tomorrow night."

Slight fitness concerns over Billy Celeski (back) and Mark Milligan (hamstring) will not stop them playing, with Postecoglou confirming that the same 11 who started last week's 1-1 draw against Brisbane Roar would 'definitely' start the match against Heart.

Most of the seven Melbourne derbies have been fiery affairs, with an average of six cards dished out per match.

Three players have also been given red cards – most notably Kevin Muscat for his crude challenge on then-Heart attacker Adrian Zahra – and Postecoglou is expecting another physical battle, although he says his players know where the line is.

"It'll be physical - physical in football terms, which makes it a good contest," he said.

"There's human emotions involved and there's going to be a full house and an unbelievable atmosphere. Everyone is looking forward to it and when there's that kind of energy in a game, people are going to push the limits of everything.

"We want to see a cracking game and the physical stuff is part of it. We want to play with a good energy and passion for a contest. (There's) no point going out there being sterile about things. The players know where the boundaries are (though)."

Despite the match being hosted by Heart, Postecoglou believes the vocal support from his club's fans will make it 'feel like a home game and that can only help'.

Victory sit third on the A-League table with 17 points, five more than the eighth-placed Heart.