FTS A-League Round 4 Preview: Melbourne City vs. Adelaide United

 

Melbourne City and Adelaide City open Round four on a warm Friday night in Melbourne. The night will mark the first opportunity viewers of free to air television viewers witness the second Melbourne’s team new entity.  It will also marks the final chance the A-League has to see David Villa before his circus finishes his Australian tour before he embarks on his promotional tour for New York City FC.

On face value the match offers an exciting clash for viewers between two attractive teams. Melbourne City will once again focus primarily on their stacked midfield, whilst Adelaide will look to continue their unbeaten run and has the chance to take top spot on the table.

Last week saw a disappointing Melbourne City collapse against the weight of Victory pressure and concede a season high five goals. The clash was predominantly a one sided affair and highlighted the gaping differences in the two Melbourne teams.  Adelaide hosted league leaders Perth and comfortably won 2-0 even without striker Bruce Djite, who returns this week after a hamstring injury.  Expect changes to the City XI with David Williams returning from injury and Jonathan Germano and Ben Garrucio joining the squad for the first time this season.

The well known managerial style of Josep Gombau will be on display and excitement is promised. He will be confronted by the possession based style of Van’t Schip, but the game won’t be won in the centre of the park.  Defensive lapses cost City last week and will again this week; teams devoid of talent at the back cannot compete with quality opposition such as Adelaide.

Adelaide will attack down the flanks with success and should sit atop of the table, at least until Victory host Wellington on Cup eve.

Head to Head

Played: 12 City: 2 Draws: 5 Adelaide: 5

Last Meeting

Adelaide United 2 drew with Melbourne City 2 at Coopers Stadium (04.04.2014)

Form Guide:

Melbourne City DDL   Adelaide United: WDW

Absentee List:

Melbourne City: Robert Koren (calf – 3-5 weeks), Connor Chapman (glandular fever – indefinite)

Adelaide United: Cameron Watson (toe – 2 weeks), Ben Warland (ankle –  3 weeks), Fabio Ferreira (hamstring 2-4 weeks), Jordan Elsey (wrist – 3 weeks)

Melbourne City (probable): 4-3-3

Redmayne, Hoffman, Wielaert, Kisnorbo, Germano, Paartalu, Murdocca, Mooy, Villa, Williams, Duff

Adelaide United (probable): 4-4-2

Galekovic, Goodwin, Boogard, Elrich, Carrusca, Malik, Sanchez, Jeggo, Ferreira, Sanchez Alberto, Djite

Eyes on…

In his final appearance in Australia David Villa will want to put in a significantly better shift than last week.  Lacking defensive pressure and motivation for a club he seems non fussed about, Villa’s four week stint in Australia has dented his perceived reputation amongst A-League followers.  Ideally he won’t he judged on his brief (embarrassing) stint in Australia, but his poor attitude towards ‘our beautiful game’ is a slap in the face to all supporters in Australia.

 

FTSAUS Fact:

• The last two A-League matches played between City and United have ended in 2-2 draws
• Craig Goodwin played four games for Melbourne City, the same number David Villa will finish with

Prediction:

Adelaide should have no problems taking the points from City, providing the players remain patient and Van’t Schip deploys his predictive tactics.  After conceding five goals last week City’s defence will be feeling fragile and the attacking Adelaide spirit will be like pouring salt into the fresh derby wounds.  Adelaide 3-0

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