With the race for the finals all but sewn up, Adelaide United host Melbourne City at Hindmarsh Stadium, in a match that can see the Reds finish as high as third. Join The Roar from 7:15pm (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
A few months ago, Adelaide United were on top of the world. They had just won the inaugural FFA Cup and were scoring goals for fun. The Reds were heavy title favourites as their attacking line up and flair proved to be almost unstoppable.
Fast forward to the present and the Reds have lost crucial matches and fallen to fifth on the table. This game is Adelaide’s last chance to regain some form before the finals.
City had to wait until Round 5 for their first win, however since then have had a steady season, with a stretch of five matches undefeated being ended against Perth Glory last week.
The last few meetings between these two sides have been deadlocked, with three draws and a win to either side in their last five matches. Last time City recorded an emphatic victory which ultimately put their season on track.
Melbourne City will welcome back Kew Jaliens from suspension, as well as of Jason Hoffman and Nick Symeoy. However they are without Paulo Retre (suspension – one week) and Jack Clisby (ankle).
Adelaide United will be greatly motivated by the return of star players Marcelo Carrusca and Awer Mabil. Ben Warland and Paul Izzo also return to the starting line up. Defender Nigel Boogaard is out suspended, which could prove to be a crucial loss.
A City win tonight will see both sides return to this venue in Week 1 of the finals. A win for the Reds however, could see them jump to the third and have another crack at the Roar.
Prediction
Expect the Reds to bounce back, with the inclusions of star players to give their attack back its flair.
Adelaide 2-1
Can the Reds bounce back after a two-game losing streak? Or can City kick the door down into the finals with a win? Join The Roar from 7:15pm (AEST) for live scores and debate in our live blog.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Credit to AU and the belief they have in their system of play and well coached by Gombau. As for City, shambles. JVS must be shown the door.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Sorry.... Not nice for a City fan.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Melbourne City will very quickly have to regroup and analyse what went wrong here tonight ahead of their finals clash against either Wellington or Adelaide. City will have to make do next week without Kew Jaliens who got sent off tonight, making things very difficult for his side as he will miss next weeks match. Despite the result, City showed glimpses of what they can do as Mooy worked tirelessly in midfield looking to supply his team mates, both the players and the supporters will be expecting a much better performance next week. That's it from me tonight, over to you, what did everyone think of the match? Thank You for joining us at The Roar tonight, see you next time.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Thank God that's over. Pure drivel from MC and just the tonic AU needed going into the finals.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
FULL TIME. There you have it folks, Adelaide United have snapped a two match losing streak to bring the house down here in Adelaide with a marvelous performance here at home. The Reds have definitely regained the form that saw them dominate the league earlier in the season as they outplayed their oppostion. The Reds were very impressive from the word go as they constantly peppered the City defence and were very quickly rewarded for their persistence with early goals, which very quickly marked the return of confidence and form ahead of the finals series. An all round good performance by the Reds in a match that was very much entertaining with two red cards and five goals. Pablo Sanchez, Cirio, Goodwin and Kamau some of the stand out players for the Reds as they dominated City. At the end of the day it was: Adelaide 4-1 City
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
91' Great goalkeeping by Galekovic, keeping out Aaron Mooy after working the ball well inside the box, however he couldn't quite get balanced enough to shoot.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
90' There will be 3 minutes added onto this match.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
89' Adelaide with yet another attack, as Kamau drills a cross inside the box, however cannot find a red shirt as City maintain possession. Adelaide 4-1 City
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
87' Melbourne City enjoying some time up in attack in these last few minutes as Adelaide have looked to take their foot off the pedal a little bit.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
85' City with another great chance! This time it was Mauk who could not convert as he shoots the ball well wide of the goal after some great pressure from the Reds defence. Adelaide 4-1 City
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
83' City are away here as Koren shoots from outside the box, as he curls the ball towards the bottom corner, however it is brilliantly saved by Galekovic out for a corner . Mooy takes the corner quickly as the ball is knocked around, before falling into the path of Chapman, who instead of slamming it into the goal, lightly taps it for Galekovic to save.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
80' Dylan Smith with his first attack as an Adelaide player, as he delivers a cross into the box, Paartalu slides in as the Adelaide supporters appeal for a handball, the ref plays play on as City clear it away. Adelaide 4-1 City
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
79' Foul by Jason Hoffman on the wing, who's already on a yellow, however the referee doesn't seem to think it anything to bad. Goodwin drills the ball into the box, which is cleared by Paartalu for a corner. Adelaide 4-1 City
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
YELLOW CARD Jason Hoffman has been given a yellow card. Adelaide United with another substitution. OFF: Palanca ON: Smith Dylan Smith making his debut for his boyhood club Adelaide United.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
75' Fifteen minutes to go here in what has been quite an action packed second half.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
CHANCE A great opportunity for City! Substitute David Williams with a great run from the wing inside the box as he fires a shot, which is saved by Galekovic as he just got a leg on the shot to keep it out. Adelaide 4-1 City
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
72' Things are getting a little heated between the players as Sanchez and Koren go head to head in a verbal argument. We've seen just about everything here tonight. Adelaide 4-1 City
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
CHANCE 71' Mooy delivers an in-swinging corner which hits the outside of the post and goes out for a goal kick. Adelaide 4-1 City
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
RED CARD Another red card has been shown, this time for Adelaide United as Marrone has been sent off. Marrone, with a studs up challenge into Paartalu, with the ref in perfect position. It's ten men each here in Adelaide. 70 minutes gone.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Substitutions Adelaide OFF: Malik ON: Warland Warland making is A-League debut. Melbourne City also make a change. OFF; Novillo ON: Symeoy