The 2015-16 A-League season has but one game left to play, as Adelaide United host the Western Sydney Wanderers for Championship honours. Here are four talking points ahead of the A-League grand final.
1) Third time lucky, but for which side?
Both Adelaide United and the Western Sydney Wanderers have grand final experience, with both sides taking part in two grand finals. However, neither side have been able to secure the grand prize.
Adelaide’s last two grand finals were back in the 2006-07 and 2008-09 seasons, where they lost to Melbourne Victory both times.
For the Wanderers, the heartbreak is much more recent, losing both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 grand finals to the Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar respectively.
Tonight, there will be a sixth side to win an A-League title, however the loser will join the Central Coast Mariners as the only two sides to lose three A-League grand finals.
The Mariners however, have won one.
2) Adelaide United’s nearly perfect game
Adelaide United have lost just one of their past 20 games, and are coming off four wins in a row.
Conceding a season-low of just 28 goals, Adelaide have been the best defensive side by far, frustrating every side they play before going in for the kill.
The Red’s dominance was never more noticeable than when they dismantled a highly touted Melbourne City side 4-1 in the semi-finals.
Bruce Djite, Pablo Sanchez and Marcelo Carrusca have been in form all season, and it’s Adelaide’s consistent game that has made them so successful.
Playing simple, yet effective football all over the pitch, the Reds have looked unbeatable against almost every side. Almost.
3) Almost identical sides
The last three games between Adelaide and the Wanderers have ended in draws. The last two ended nil-all.
Both sides have scored 49 goals in 28 games this season, and both their strikers play similar football.
Both Djite and Western Sydney striker Brendon Santalab have scored 11 goals this season, and are consistent hold-up players that like to get behind defenders.
Its in defence where these sides are set apart, which Adelaide conceding eight fewer than the Wanderers this season.
Both sides are on shooting form and have effective playmakers, however it is in defence where this game will be won.
4) Western Sydney Wanderers’ refusal to give up
If there is one side in the competition that refuses to stop trying no matter what the result, it’s the Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Wanderers’ grand final seemed all but over after going down 3-nil to Brisbane Roar in the Semi Final last week.
However, Western Sydney secured an incredible comeback and earned a spot in the final after winning 5-4 in extra time.
Even if Adelaide are able to stay in form, and take the lead, they will get no rest as a determined and fired up Wanderers side will be gunning towards at every opportunity.
Western Sydney have changed their style from last season, and opted to be more aggressive moving forward. While this has left them vulnerable to counter-attacks, you can never really count them out of a fixture at any point in the match.
Prediction
Both sides are on shooting form, have plenty of momentum and are incredibly motivated to win the championship. However, Adelaide’s defence and home-ground advantage should guide them to their first ever Premier’s Plate. But it won’t be easy.
Adelaide United 1–0 Western Sydney Wanderers
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