FTS A-League Round 8 Preview: Melbourne Victory vs. Adelaide United
There are a number of sub-plots as we look ahead to this weekend’s opening game between two of the fiercest rivals in the A-League, Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United.
With both teams coming away with crucial wins in round 7 – this clash looms to be spicier than ever with goals and drama beckoning as this fixture always provides. Along with Perth Glory and Sydney FC, the Victory and the Reds are most people’s fancy to take out this year’s championship and this decisive game will have a huge say in the way the table will look come seasons end.
Adelaide United Midfielder, James Jeggo faces off against his old mob for the second time this year, the only difference this time is that it’ll have to be in front of the roaring Blue and White brigade.
These two teams have arguably provided the neutrals with the best attacking display in the league so far this season – therefore it is a game not to be missed wherever you are in the country. As the two teams walk out onto AAMI Park on Friday evening, the game will have huger a significance for the Victory as they embark on celebrating their 10-year anniversary as a club.
It is fair to say that both sides will eagerly be pushing for the win with both Josep Gombau and Kevin Muscat’s teams undefeated so far in the 2014/2015 season.
The points where evenly shared back in round 2, where Adelaide Oval played host to 30,000 passionate Reds fans going ballistic for the 90 minutes. Now, it’s the Victory’s chance to host this highly enticing fixture. With a massive crowd expected, this Friday night blockbuster promises to promote the best that the Hyundai A-League has to offer.
Form Guide:
Melbourne Victory (3rd): WDDWW
Adelaide United (2nd): WWDWW
Head to Head:
Played – 34 Melbourne Victory – 17 Adelaide United – 10 Draw – 7
Last time they met:
Friday 17th October 2014 Adelaide United 1 – 1 Melbourne Victory at the Adelaide Oval
Absentee List:
Melbourne Victory: Matthieu Delpierre (foot – tba)
Adelaide United: Paul Izzo (calf – 3-4 weeks), Jordan Elsey (knee – indefinite)
Possible line-ups:
Melbourne Victory (4-2-3-1)
Coe
Geria—Leijer—Broxham—Georgievski
Milligan (C)—Valeri
Barbarouses—Finkler—Ben Khalfallah
Berisha
Adelaide United (3-5-2)
Galegovic (C)
Marrone—Boogard—Malik
Goodwin—Sanchez—Carrusca—Jeggo—Elrich
Sergio Cirio—Djite
Eyes on:
Ben Khalfallah… had to work tremendously hard to fight his way into Melbourne’s starting XI – however now seems entrenched into the starting line-up. Fahid is in scintillating form along the wings and his pace and trickery will certainly cause mayhem inside Adelaide’s defensive third. The Tunisian International is coming off another best-on-ground performance against last year’s champions, the Roar and he will be looking to replicate his form against the stingy Adelaide United defence.
Prediction:
Melbourne Victory 3 – 2 Adelaide United
FTSAUS Fact:
- In the 2006-07 and 2007-08 campaigns Melbourne Victory were undefeated in their first seven games but went on to lose their eighth fixture both times. Both of those defeats came at the hands of Adelaide United.
- Adelaide United’s haul of 17 points is their highest ever from the first seven matches of a Hyundai A-League season.
