The 32-year-old feels those taking their first steps into the impressive Victory arena will be suitably inspired and he sees no reason why John Kosmina’s men cannot extend their winning run to three matches while bucking a losing trend on Melbourne soil.

The likes of Michael Bridges, Juninho and Tony Popovic will all have their first taste of a venue that crammed in 50,000 fans for this fixture last season.

All three have played on some of the world’s biggest footballing stages but Bolton believes there is something special about the Telstra Dome.

Sydney have won two in a row going into this fixture while their hosts are struggling for results and crippled by injury and suspensions.

A big crowd will do its best to lift Melbourne but then it isn’t just the home side that can be inspired by a cauldron of noise.

Sydney have never beaten Melbourne in their own backyard in the Hyundai A-League with a 5-0 drubbing in season one particularly painful.

That was followed by a 3-2 win in season two, a match which saw Mark Rudan dismissed in the first 20 minutes. However, Bolton prefers to take a more positive slant on the fixture.

Speaking after training on Friday, he said: “The pleasing thing for me is that on our last two games in Melbourne, including the Pre-Season Cup (Sydney won 1-0 back in July) we’ve had a draw and a win. That’s two clean sheets as well.

"Those are the sort of statistics and the sort of form I’d prefer to look at.”

Sydney’s keeper is also well aware that Merrick’s men are not at full strength and it’s something the visitors can look to take advantage of.

He said: “They’ve a few players out which will disadvantage them. There is a fantastic atmosphere at the Telstra Dome and you really get lifted in those games.

"We’ve got so many big-game players in our team and those sort of occasions suit Sydney FC. It’s always a good trip down there and I think we have to be confident of going there and getting the right result.”