“With Carlos, I see him at training every day and we know what he's capable of and it's just a case of getting it out of him. But we're getting that now,” a relaxed Ernie Merrick told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“His relationship with Dan [Allsopp], Nick Ward, Archie Thompson and Adrian Caceres has improved. When you think about it, it's quite a strikeforce and I don't think we've ever played them all in the same team yet.”

Hernandez's stellar club form has earned him a recall to the Costa Rican national team for a friendly with Iran ten days after the Sydney match.

“Carlos is coming good," said Merrick. "He's understanding the physicality of the A-League and his forward passes and accuracy are great – he's hitting the crossbar regularly too.

"He's looking a million dollars and setting up the strikers.”

However, Sydney FC's midfield, lead by Terry McFlynn who is set to play his 50th A-League game, are sure to rattle the cage of the Costa Rican in what's always a feisty affair.

Victory goes to Sydney on the back of a three-game winning streak.

“Ten goals in three games and we're really settled. I've hardly had to make any changes. And that's all a good sign," said Merrick

“We're coming strong at the right time and we'll have a go in Sydney. We've got everyone coming back from injury right now – even Danny Allsopp – so I think I've got a team that's gathering a bit of momentum and we'd like to take that through to the Asian Champions League.”


He added: “I don't feel we're under pressure but we're very, very keen to win this because we want to show we're good enough to do well in the Asian Champions League and to have a credible finish to the A-League year.

"And there's no doubt some of the boys will be out to impress the new national team coach.”

This season, Melbourne beat Sydney 1-0 at the SFS, with Steve Corica's red card a major talking point. At Telstra Dome, the sides played out a 0-0 draw.

Sydney officials today predicted a crowd of 25,000 plus for Sunday's A-League SuperClassico.