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Adelaide United take on Brisbane Roar in the A-League elimination final on Friday night. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEST).
Last weekend Adelaide United sent an ominous warning to their rivals ahead of the finals series, demolishing Melbourne City in match where the Reds returned to their brilliant best, ending a two-match losing streak.
Adelaide appeared as if they were scoring for fun, as the likes of Sergio Cirio and Craig Goodwin made life very difficult for the opposing defenders.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar defeated the Newcastle Jets in what was their second victory of the week, after a hard earned, spirit lifting win in China mid-week. The Roar, despite scraping into the finals on the back of Perth Glory’s exit, will view this match as a great opportunity to show the league that they still have what it takes.
If any team knows how to deliver success it’s the Roar, having won three championships. The Roar will compete in their fifth consecutive finals series, having won ten matches in the finals and only losing three, with one of those losses coming against Adelaide United in 2009.
Brisbane has beaten Adelaide in three out of their last five meetings, most recently defeating the Reds 2-3 in Adelaide. Brisbane has also claimed Adelaide as a home away from home, having been undefeated against the Reds in Adelaide in their last seven trips down south. Adelaide will certainly be out to end this hoodoo and progress further into the finals series.
Adelaide have flexed their muscle ahead of this finals clash against their formidable bogey side, as they welcome back many of their star players from injury, with Isaias, Marcelo Carrusca, Awer Mabil and James Jeggo all set to return, all of whom will certainly boost the spirits of the Adelaide players and fans. Michael Marrone (one-week suspension), Bruce Djite (groin injury) and Dylan Smith are set to miss the elimination final.
Brisbane, meanwhile, will make up to nine changes to the squad that defeated the Jets last week.
The venue for the match has been in the spotlight during the week, as Josep Gombau has labelled the Adelaide as a ‘neutral venue’. The Reds are playing away from their spiritual home at Coopers Stadium, where they have only lost three times all year (two of those losses being to the Roar).
This match of course marks the return of Carrusca from injury. Carrusca has been absent from action since March 29 and will be gunning for a return in midfield as he has had a standout season, contributing with seven goals and three assists. Carrusca’s return to the side will add some spice to what will be a great midfield battle between the two teams.
In a match that will be exhilarating from the opening whistle, both teams will have their eyes fixated upon a semi-finals birth. The match will be won in the midfield as both sides have led the league in dominating possession and have many routes towards goal.
However, Adelaide United, with the return of many of their star players, will be too good on the day as their use of the wings will prove too difficult for the Roar to shut down.
Prediction: Adelaide 2-0
Will the Reds continue their impressive form and march into the semis? Or will the Roar’s experience be the key in winning this match? Join The Roar from 7:15pm (AEST) for live scores and debate in our live blog.
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