The Western Sydney Wanderers continue to remain rooted to the bottom of the A-League ladder and may be in for a tough evening if they fail to show up against championship contenders Adelaide United away from home. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The Wanderers 1-nil defeat to Brisbane on Wednesday has left Western Sydney in a spot of bother ten rounds into the new A-League season.
The two time A-League finalists are yet to register a win and their quest for three points doesn’t get any easier tonight.
Adelaide are a daunting proposition away from home and the Wanderers could very well find themselves on the back foot for the majority of the contest this evening given how often the reds dominate on home soil.
Josep Gombau’s men will also be eager to bounce back from last week’s narrow defeat to Victory – their first loss of the season. The fact that two own goals were conceded against Melbourne won’t sit well with Gombau and he will be demanding a more complete performance at the back from the hosts.
With this in mind, Adelaide should be expected to come out with their usual intensity at home. At their best, they are probably the most creative outfit in the A-League while in possession and will look to ask a vulnerable Wanderers defence plenty of questions.
After completing a successful return from injury last week, Adelaide striker Bruce Djite is just one of the dangers the Wanderers face tonight. He will be looking to get back on the scoresheet after an extended absence and should be expected to star.
For the Wanderers to perhaps cause the upset, they will need to press considerably and maintain strong intensity for 90 minutes. Adelaide are vulnerable at the back when pressed and their passing game can often go astray as was the case for significant portions of the first half against the Victory.
Adelaide at home though certainly have the form on the board and the players required to secure another three points tonight. After two very successful opening seasons, the Wanderers have lost their defensive aura and don’t possess the form required to upset one of the A-League’s best teams.
Adelaide to win 2-0.
Alan
Roar Guru
Adelaide continue their winning ways at home as they defeat the Wanderers two nil. Adelaide dominated from the get go with Cirio, Carrusca, Ferreira and Goodwin causing tremendous havoc in attack. Topor-Stanley was sent off in the first half and that made things the more difficult for the Wanderers who were never going to win tonight. The Club World Cup awaits now for the Wanderers while the FFA Cup final awaits the Reds. Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Adelaide with 22 attempts on goal tonight compared to the Wanderers 1! Cirio with a curling effort that is just wide of the right upright. Good effort. Adelaide win! FULLTIME Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Covic, La Rocca and Spiranovic strong at the back for the Wanderers tonight who have been down to 10 men for the majority of the contest. Adelaide continue to keep pace with the Victory and Perth with this win Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Spiranovic with another vital block to deny a third goal for Adelaide. Good build-up again but the third goal continues to elude Adelaide Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - Another impressive performance from Adelaide but their finishing needs to improve if they hope to punish the likes of Victory, Sydney and Perth when it counts at season's end. They really should have won this game by at least three goals. Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
86' - Great through ball by Elrich. Adelaide still searching for a third goal. Wanderers though get the throw Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Covic yet again strong tonight as he rushes up to thwart Cirio yet again. Wanderers have been barely able to get over half way with possession. Galekovic has had hardly anything to do tonight. Jeggo's effort over the bar after another good build-up Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE ADELAIDE Great build-up yet again from Adelaide with Cirio and Carrusca combining but Mabil from close range rockets the ball into the stands. Again another chance squandered... Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Goodwin with a shot but its over the bar. Haliti comes on for Baccus as the Wanderers make their final change. Adelaide still only two goals up here despite dominating this contest completely. Wanderers still with a chance to make the home fans nervous if they can just nab a goal Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Wanderers have struggled to string two or three passes together all night. Adelaide continue to completely dominate. Cirio gets away from two defenders now. Great run. Wins the corner. Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Wanderers are down on the canvas here but Adelaide just can't find the knockout blow. If there is one criticism I have of Adelaide, its their inability at times to turn their great football into plenty of goals. They can butcher a few chances the reds. Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Adelaide continue to dominate here Jeggo with a great ball. Goodwin with a great cross but Covic got a desperate touch to send the ball clear! CHANCE ADELAIDE Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
It was beautiful football yet again from Adelaide but Cirio's finishing lets him down big time. He hit the post with his first attempt and the ball then bounced back to him and the Spaniard's second effort went across the face of goal!!!!! Ferreira now off for Mabil. Good change. Ferreira had a great game. Mabil though fresh legs should cause huge havoc Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Juric is off for Saba as the Wanderers make their second change. Tough night for Juric. CHANCE ADELAIDE Cirio has missed with the goal at his mercy! The move itself and build-up deserved a goal!!!! Goodness me!!!! Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Adelaide have dominated over 70 percent of possession tonight. Still only two goals to show for it though. They are playing very well and are easy on the eye but they need another goal to put the final nail in the coffin Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Wanderers finally with possession here as they burst forward but they are called back for offside. Again that was the wrong call against the Wanderers! Boy Adelaide off the hook! Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE ADELAIDE Cirio finds Ferreira who shoots at goal but Covic stands tall and saves again! Good stop! Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - Elrich as well has been impressive with his passing tonight. He has improved immeasurably since switching to Adelaide. Adelaide attacking at will. Sanchez's cross headed clear. Its the Spanish, Portuguese and Argentina show upfront. Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
62' - Roarcalona? Adelaide easily the Barcelona of the A-League now. Pablo Sanchez comes on for Djite. Good replacement to bring on. Adelaide with great attacking depth. Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
60' - Adelaide dictating terms here. Wanderers season going from bad to worse. Beautiful football again but Spiranovic does superbly well with his challenge to stop Djite from scoring! CHANCE ADELAIDE Adelaide 2 Wanderers 0