Adelaide United are just two points away from first place in the A-League ahead of their Friday night clash with Melbourne City, who are striving for a spot in the top six. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:15pm (AEDT).
FFA Cup winning coach Josep Gombau will expect nothing less than three points from his side, following their narrow 2-1 win over the Wanderers. But City are desperate to make their first season under new owners a success.
Melbourne clearly struggled after David Villa’s failed stint at the Victorian side, failing to live up to the limelight he achieved on the international stage and putting a question mark over the real value of a marquee player.
However, Melbourne City have only lost one of their last six home fixtures, and they could well have reached the top six if it weren’t for Danny Vukovic’s heroics for league leaders Perth Glory in the fixture at AAMI Park last Sunday.
Irish international Damien Duff has stolen headlines for Melbourne with his season-ending injury, while the squad regulars in Rob Wielaert, James Brown and Mate Dugandzic have suffered short-term injuries that should see them out of this clash.
Adelaide are likely to have three players sit out of the fixture at AAMI Park, Spaniard Isaias Sanchez received his fifth yellow card of the season against the Wanderers last week, while defenders Osama Malik and Nigel Boogaard have suffered short-term injuries.
Currently the forward pairing in Bruce Djite and Sergio Cirio are propelling the South Australian side forward in goals. Sharing seventh place for top goalscorer in the A-League, and on a combined twelve goals in eighteen rounds for the season, these two have grown immensely in their time at the club and don’t look to be slowing down.
Last week, Kenyan-born winger Bruce Kamau was re-promoted to the squad by Gombau. In the end he didn’t make his third appearance for Adelaide United, but there’s a chance he’ll soon become a regular in the squad with Mark Ochieng now omitted, and the youngster himself signing a one-year contract just last month.
In a game against the seventh-placed Melbourne City and with injuries to the more established members in his side, we can expect Gombau to tinker with his squad as the finals approach, similar to last week where he re-promoted Paul Izzo and Nathan Konstandopoulos to the team.
Prediction
While Melbourne City have improved their results at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium following Villa’s failed stint, Adelaide are strong away from home. A dangerous attacking lineup along with the aspired glories of making first-place on the ladder is why Adelaide looks likely to take the three points.
Result: Adelaide 3-1
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dave M
Guest
Well done Melbourne.. Keep the momentum and good things will happen toward the end of the season. Fans need to show up more at the games and support the team and enjoy the stadium ambiance..
Josh
Guest
Mabil - what a primadonna
Rob McHugh
Roar Guru
Nice call Jam!
Midfielder
Guest
Come on city
Batou
Guest
That was the worst, most disjointed performance I've seen from Adelaide for at least a season. I think losing Malik and Boogard to injury and Isais to suspension had a huge impact. It pulled Elrich, Goodwin and Cirio out of position and left Jeggo to manage the crucial number 6 role which he struggled with. Too many others didn't step up though, especially Carrusca and Mabil. The sub Palanca was as impotent as Mabil. I wonder if Gombau was wishing he had Ferreira to call on instead... Mooy was great, Williams was great once he came on and kisnorbo was ultra solid at the back. Kennedy and Koren where good in the second half. City really deserved that win.
James
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Williams is ruled offside as the whistle is blown, but it wont because Melbourne get the three points at home! Have to admit I did not see this coming at all, but Melbourne deserve the now-place in the top six on the ladder. Melbourne stepped up their composure and pressed Adelaide into their own half more in the second half. While new signings Kennedy and Baharudin showed their worth for the season ahead! I'm @James01253 and have a great weekend. Thanks for joining me here on The Roar. Melbourne City 3 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
90' + 4 FOUR MINUTES OF ADDED TIME! Adelaide win a corner from their free-kick as extra time is announced at AAMI Park. Melbourne City 3 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
89' Free-kick for Adelaide United.Few fouls in the last minute, most in favour of the South Australian side and the most recent one is on Djite. One last chance to save their chances? Melbourne City 3 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
87' GOAL MELBOURNE CITY! Murdocca recollects the ball from a faulty clearance from Galekovic, and it's the birthday boy Iain Ramsay who converts! He was promoted to the squad this week and it looks to be the right decision! Melbourne City 3 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
86' SUBSTITUTION ADELAIDE UNITED - Carrusca OFF Bruce Kamau ON - The kenyan winger makes his third appearance for Adelaide. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
83' Freekick to Melbourne City. Carrusca narrowly avoids his second yellow card of the game, after bringing Koren down near the halfway line. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
82' SUBSTITUTION ADELAIDE UNITED - Cameron Watson ON Pablo Sanchez OFF (The better Sanchez? An impressive show tonight) Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
81' Big appeal for a penalty as Kisnorbo makes a risky tackle within the box, replay shows some contact has been made. Sounds like this could leave a mark on Adelaide if the score remains the same. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
77' SUBSTITUTION MELBOURNE CITY - Erik Paartalu OFF Iain Ramsay ON - Also worth noting it is the new inclusion's birthday today. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
74' Chance! Goodwin finds some space within the penalty box, but exaggerates the shot so much the ball is showered into the stands. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
73' Freekick to Adelaide United. Kennedy is ruled offside after receiving a pass from Murdocca, within Adelaide's penalty box. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
72' Freekick for Adelaide United after Sanchez is brought down by a dirty tackle. No cards given. The quick free-kick is taken however it isn't successful. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
70' CHANCE! Mooy receives the ball in Adelaide's penalty box, but he is facing the wrong way! He quickly makes a 180 degree spin, although his shot is straight at the keeper. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
69' CHANCE! Murdocca dribbles his way onto the fringes of Adelaide's penalty box, where he fires a shot that stretches just wide of the post. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United
James
Roar Guru
67' CHANCE! Josh Kennedy quickly finds himself in a one-on-one position with the keeper, but his overhead lob fails to hit the target. Melbourne City 2 - 1 Adelaide United