FTS A-League Round 12 Preview: Sydney FC vs. Adelaide United
Boxing Day football continues the festive football period of 2014/15. The second game of the double header is an important game which could very well determine where the participating teams finish on the table. Both teams will have one Christmas wish, three points on Boxing Day.
Sydney FC come into the game as a wounded animal. Having lost their past two home games and an increasing injury tally, many have written the sky blues off (at least until the Asian Cup break). So up until that point, any points gained in the next three games will be seen as a bonus. The team will fancy their chances if Adelaide are not at their best particularly having held their opponents away in the last meeting between the sides. The harbour based side will be down on confidence after losing to Wellington Phoenix in a disappointing outing. To compound that blow, Arnold and his men learnt that the influential defender Ognenovski would be out for the season (this of course on top of season ending injuries to Gamerio and Abbas). So despite being at home, the sky blues in my opinion will come into the game as underdogs.
Adelaide United like their opponents have had a few hiccups in their most recent fixtures. The reds come into this fixture off a humbling defeat to Newcastle just three days after lifting the FFA Cup 3 days earlier. Granted the Reds didn’t look themselves in the game against Newcastle, lacking focus and energy when the game mattered. However they did go through another hurdle the week before when Brisbane successfully parked the bus at Hindmarsh perhaps providing a blueprint for future opponents. A distraction leading into the match is the sudden release of Cassio from the club. So Gombau and his men will be equally desperate to get a result.
Eyes on:
Alex Brosque. Presuming he is fit, Brosque is the key player for the sky blues. He provides the sky blues with a genuine transition option (something they missed against Wellington).
Head to Head:
Played: 30. Sydney Fc: 12. Draw: 5. Adelaide United: 13.
Last Meeting:
07/11/2014 at Coopers Stadium. Adelaide United 0-0 Sydney FC
Form Guide:
Sydney FC: WDLDL Adelaide United: WLWLL
Absentee List:
Sydney FC: Ali Abbas (Knee, season), Nick Carle (Knee, season), Corey Gameiro (Knee, Season), Matthew Jurman (illness, indefinite). Sasa Ognenovski (hip, season)
Adelaide United: Paul Izzo (Calf, 1-2 weeks), Osama Malik (calf, 2-3 weeks), Jordan Elsey (Knee, Indefinite).
Possible Line-ups:
Sydney FC: Janjetovic; Bojic, Ryall, Petkovic, Gersbach; Antonis, Dimitrijevic; Ibini, Brosque; Smeltz, Janko.
Adelaide United: Galekovic; Goodwin, Boogaard, Mcgowan, Elrich; Carrusca, Sanchez, Jeggo, Ferreira, Cirio; Djite.
Why Sydney can win:
Given what I said earlier, I am not particularly confident leading in. However there is reason to be not as pessimistic as the last campaign. Graham Arnold will not be happy with the last performance against Wellington and will make sure the 11 players put out on the field will give it their all in front of the sky blue faithful. That added with hopefully the return of captain Alex Brosque may give the team the spark which is desperately needed.
Why Adelaide can win:
On the back of two losses, Adelaide will be determined to find the winners list once again. The FFA Cup champions can beat any A-League opposition on their day, but have experienced a poor run of form. Sydney’s injury crisis before the transfer window opens could be a blessing for Josep Gombau’s men and three points may be headed to Coopers Stadium. It’s only fitting the man in the red suit will deliver to the Reds of Adelaide.
Prediction:
Sydney FC 1-1 Adelaide United.
FTS Fact:
- 7 goals were scored in last year’s Boxing Day clash at Allianz Stadium (Sydney 2-5 Brisbane).
- Adelaide hasn’t lost at Allianz Stadium since February 2013 (3 games).