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There is no better way to kick start the A-League season then with the hotly-contested rivalry between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory. Join The Roar from 7.30 pm (AEDT) for live scores and updates.
It’s a rivalry that stretches back nine years when Melbourne Victory won the A-League grand final two years in a row in 2006-07 and 2007-08 – both times overcoming Adelaide convincingly in the final.
And once again they face off in the first round of the A-League season, with both sides looking strong and capable of earning the three points.
Expect to see an A-League debut from Oliver Bozanic in Melbourne colours, with the Australian fringe international finishing the pre-season strong. Danny Vukovic will also get his A-League debut tonight in between the sticks for Victory.
Whilst both teams have bolstered their squads for the upcoming campaign, Melbourne will head into this match with a huge amount of confidence following their dominant FFA Cup win over Adelaide just weeks ago.
Melbourne won 3-1 in the Cup match, with goals to Gui Finkler, Kosta Barbarouses and Besart Berisha.
Tonight, Adelaide will be missing influential fullback Tarek Elrich and Goalkeeper and Captain Eugene Galekovic. Bruce Kamau and Iacopo La Rocca are also out due to injury.
Melbourne aren’t without their misfortunes for the first match of the season, with Archie Thompson out injured and Kosta Barbarouses away on international duty. They’re also missing most of their younger players due to international duty, including Jason Geria, Scott Galloway, Nick Ansell, Connor Pain and Giancarlo Gallifuoco.
Prediction: It’s first plays second from last season’s ladder standings, and both teams will be looking to get off to the best start possible.
However, Adelaide have lost key players in Nigel Boogaard and Awer Mabil and have struggled to replace them, with attacking players Mate Dugandzic and Eli Babalj the only real movement in the off-season.
I see them struggling again tonight against a quality Melbourne side.
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