Adelaide United vs Sydney FC: A-League live scores, blog

This looms as a vital clash for both Adelaide United and Sydney FC as they look to cement themselves inside the top six with just four rounds remaining. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from on Friday 7.30pm (AEDT).

For all the plaudits Adelaide United have received for their entertaining style of football, they sit precariously in sixth place with both Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix snapping at their heels.

The Reds have played some wonderful attacking football this year but defensively they have been shaky at times and will need to be switched on to stop Italian maestro Alessandro Del Piero in this one.

Adelaide would have been disappointed to settle for a single point in last week’s clash with a weary Western Sydney Wanderers and would dearly love to grab maximum points to move above the Sky Blues.

The Reds foreigner players Fabio Ferreira, Cirio and Marcelo Carrusca have been a nightmare for opposition defences in recent weeks and will be vital against an improved Sky Blue defence this week.

Jeronimo Neumann has a fantastic goal scoring record at Coopers Stadium and although inconsistent he could provide the hosts with a handy option off the bench against a tiring Sydney outfit.

Sydney are coming off a fantastic 1-1 draw with runaway leaders Brisbane Roar and will feel slightly aggrieved to not have taken all three points after playing the second half against 10 men.

The Sky Blues have been inconsistent this season but have won three out of their past five and have the opportunity to push for a top four finish in the final four rounds.

Marquee man Alessandro Del Piero will again be a key for Sydney, but Corey Gameiro and Ranko Despotovic have been excellent this season and will cause the Reds problems in attack.

Sasa Ognenovski has been a calming influence for the Sky Blues in defence and along with Matt Jurman have solidified an at times shaky defence.

The Reds won the last meeting between these two teams 3-0 but with so much at stake it is difficult to see such a resounding result for either team.

The Reds like to dominate possession – especially at home – and will likely face a packed Sydney defence which will look to hit fast on the counter attack.

Sydney utilised the same game plan against Newcastle three weeks ago to great effect in a 2-0 win and will hope to do the same against a technically gifted Reds outfit.

It’s hard to see a glut of goals in this one and likely to be a cagey contest at times as both sides will be desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.

1-1 Draw.