FTS A-League Round 2 Preview: Adelaide United vs. Melbourne Victory
One game, one win. Round 2 of A-League action sees Adelaide United take on Melbourne Victory in an early ‘top of the table’ clash.
Both teams descend on Adelaide Oval with a spring in their step, after they each grabbed three points against last year’s Grand Finalists in Round 1.
The neutral looks towards this match anticipating a rebirth of the great rivalry between these two sides that has always existed when they look to challenge for the title. Unfortunately for Adelaide, both teams’ title runs are always simultaneous, and they have tended to finish second best to the Victory on every occasion.
Adelaide manager Josep Gombau will be looking to overturn his struggles against Victory from last season, which saw his side register just one point from three games, conceding nine goals in the process.
In the other dugout, Kevin Muscat will be looking for stability, with the possible inclusion of returning Socceroo Mark Milligan being the only forecasted change to his Victory side which dismantled Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1.
Eyes On… Guilherme Finkler – Set the tempo for Victory’s demolition job on the Wanderers playing an advanced midfield role. Look for him to exploit spaces in between midfield and attack, but also expect him to drift wide and help the wingers. His set-piece deliveries could be key for the Victory.
Head to head: Played: 33. Adelaide United (10). Draw: (6). Melbourne Victory: (16).
Form Guide: Adelaide United: WDLWW. Melbourne Victory: LWWDW
Last Meeting: 22 February 2014 at AAMI Park. Melbourne Victory 4-3 Adelaide United.
Adelaide United (probable): Galekovic(c); Cirio, Boogard, McGowan, Cassio; Pablo Sanchez, Elrich, Jeggo, Isaias; Carrusca, Djite.
Melbourne Victory (probable): Coe; Geria, Leijer, Delpierre, Georgievski; Valeri, Finkler, Milligan(c); Barbarouses, Berisha, Thompson.
Absentee List:
Adelaide United: Cameron Watson – Toe Injury (3-4 weeks), Jordan Elsey – Wrist injury (6 weeks).
Melbourne Victory: Nick Ansell – Foot injury (3 weeks).
Prediction: Melbourne Victory 2-1 (1-0 HT)
Melbourne Victory are stacked with so much talent, and without any injuries to this point, look unstoppable on current form. Adelaide will test them at times, especially down the left-flank with Jason Geria, but will struggle to tame the likes of Finkler, Barbarouses, Berisha, and co.
Jeggo and Elrich could find themselves with their hands full trying to stem the impact of Milligan and Valeri – who, while being solid defensively, are able to punish teams further up the pitch.
FTSAUS Fact
- Melbourne Victory have conceded in 20 of their last 21 away matches in the A-League.
- The last time that Melbourne Victory won their opening two games of an A-League season was back in 2006-07 – a campaign that they were crowned A-League champions.
- Kosta Barbarouses and Archie Thompson have both scored for Victory in each of the last two A-League meetings between these two clubs.
