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Adelaide United will be determined to get back on the winners list as they host the lowly Western Sydney Wanderers this evening at Hindmarsh Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
After what seemed to be a real charge for the championship some weeks ago after a destructive 7-0 win against the Jets, Adelaide United remains winless from its last two starts and will be desperate to regain some form as we enter the pointy end of the season.
As for the Wanderers, they were again victims of having victory taken from them as they had to share the points with the Jets last week. However, they are not giving up hope in relation to making the finals.
For them to even have a sniff at participating in the finals, they must be at their very best against one of the top teams in Adelaide.
The Wanderers sit fifteen points outside the top six, however with two games in hand they could become real finals contenders, but their run must start tonight against the Reds.
The two sides’ head to head clash is dead even with both teams winning three each with the one draw. However the Wanderers have failed to beat the Reds in their last three meetings and have also failed to score in their last three matches against the Reds.
The last time these two sides met Adelaide dominated on the ball having 79.6% possession throughout the match with a passing accuracy of 89.6%, which established a very convincing 2-0 win.
This fixture has also produced a total of 39 bookings, at 5.6 bookings a match it is the third most carded match in the league and with both teams having so much to play for, another fiery contest could be on our hands.
Conceding goals early has been somewhat of a problem for the Wanderers this season as they have conceded nine goals before the thirtieth minute mark of the first half. They will need to be able to mobilise the Adelaide attacking game style early, as the Reds this season, have been fast starters having scored eighteen of their twenty nine goals in the first half of their games.
Adelaide defender Nigel Boogard recently announced that he will be leaving the title chasing Reds to join the Newcastle Jets at the end of the season. Boogard signed a three year deal with the club which sees him return to his hometown.
The Wanderers will see Sam Gallaway and Iacopo La Rocca return to the first team as well as they return of Romeo Castelen. Anthony Golec is the only omission for the Wanderers.
After an impressive Asia Cup campaign, Tomi Juric has been brought back to reality at the Wanderers. Juric will be desperately depended upon to start firing if the Wanderers are to have any chance of a late charge for the finals. Juric has only scored two goals this season, however given the opportunity, the 23 year old will use his great positional work off the ball to his advantage, terrorising the opposition defenders.
If anyone can get the Wanderers into form, it’s Tomi.
Adelaide’s ability to create multiple goal scoring avenues this season has seen them pose one of the most dangerous line ups in the league. Not only has Tarek Elrich’s contributions in defence helped his side maintain the least amount of goals conceded this season, he has also contributed in attack, with four assists to his name this season.
Prediction: Both teams will be very eager to get out onto the park tonight, with both having lots to prove to their rivals and most importantly to their fans. The match will be very open and free flowing with both teams having very attacking mindsets.
Early goals will be crucial tonight with cool heads in defence just as important. A nail biting finish should see Adelaide United scrape through in the end.
Adelaide 2-1.
Will Adelaide regain their status as premiership contenders or will the Wanderers kick off what seems to be an impossible road to the finals?
Join The Roar tonight at 7:10pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
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