FTS A-League Preview Round 18: Adelaide United vs Western Sydney Wanderers
This Saturday’s Hyundai A-League action pits Adelaide United against the Western Sydney Wanderers. With plenty at stake for each side, expect a highly entertaining match of football.
Josep Gombau’s men will approach this fixture knowing anything less than the three points will equate to a failure. A win for the Reds will not only increase the pressure on Melbourne Victory in second place, but also signal the end of their questionable form following successive concentration lapses against the Mariners and Glory in recent weeks.
Tony Popovic’s troops travel to the “City of Churches” on the back of a disappointing draw against the Jets in Newcastle last weekend. The cellar dwellers enjoyed the majority of sights on goal but still remain shy in front of goal. The point means that the Wanderers remain rooted in last place and further adrift of the last finals spot up for grabs due to Brisbane’s win in Gosford.
The inaugural FFA Cup winners triumphed over the Asian Champions with utter ease the last time these two contested a league fixture. Adelaide simply played the 10-man Wanderers off the park and rarely broke a sweat in doing so. Therefore perhaps this weekend’s encounter, coupled with the aforementioned incentives, adds further validation to Adelaide United being heavy favourites to achieve victory by the full-time whistle.
While Western Sydney would be realistically playing for pride at this stage of the season, United still remain in contention to oust the Glory off their perch come regular season’s end. Therefore wouldn’t it seem logical for Gombau’s slick and skilful side to come out determined with all guns blazing? Then again, who’s to rule out the ‘red and blacks’ from defying the odds and coming out on top once more? All speculation will be answered 7:30pm (AEST) this Saturday night.
Head-to-Head:
Played: 7. Adelaide United: 3. Western Sydney Wanderers: 3.
Last Meeting: 6/12/2014 at Hindmarsh Stadium. Adelaide United 2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
Form Guide:
Adelaide United: LWWLD Western Sydney Wanderers: DLLWD
Absentee List:
Adelaide United: John Hall (not selected), Nigel Boogaard (knee -1 week), Jordan Elsey (knee – indefinite)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Antony Golec (not selected), Golgol Mebrahtu (knee – indefinite)
Possible XI:
Adelaide United: Galekovic; Marrone; Malik; McGowan; Elrich; Palanca; Isaias; Jeggo; Sanchez; Carrusca; Cirio
Western Sydney Wanderers: Covic; Gallaway; Topor-Stanley; Spiranovic; Tanaka; Kalmar; Poljak; Haliti; Takahagi; Rukavytsya; Juric
Prediction:
Adelaide United 2-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
FTSAUS Fact:
6 of the 11 goals scored by the Western Sydney Wanderers this season have come away from Pirtek Stadium. Will they be able to add to this statistic against the A-League’s current best defence?
Adelaide have scored 23 goals when at home this season and have not conceded an away goal against the Wanderers specifically since late 2013. Do these good omens spell another Reds win?
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