Another round of fixtures takes place this weekend, with Adelaide United playing Sydney FC in their 25th fixture of the A-League season.
Stadium: Coopers Stadium
Key Statistics
Adelaide have two wins from their last five games.
The home team are unbeaten in eight of their last home games in the league.
Sydney FC are on a three-game-winning run heading into this tie.
They are unbeaten in four games.
They hold a superior head-to-head record in this tie, winning 22 out of the 54 matches they have played against their hosts (L21)
Adelaide United
After earning an impressive one-nil win over Melbourne Victory in their last outing, fourth-placed Adelaide United will look to book a place in the final series playoff by taking maximum points against Sydney FC.
The home side have rediscovered the form that propelled them to fourth place in recent times, taking two wins from their last three games.
They are now a step closer to securing a place in the playoff round and will hope that they can make it two wins in a row this weekend.
Thomas Veart’s men have been impressive at home this season, winning seven of the eleven matches they have played at the Coopers Stadium and losing just once. They will be banking on their home form when they welcome the Sky Blues this weekend.
Yared Abetew, Ryan Kitto, and Nathan Konstandopoulos are the injury absentees from this tie, with the home team expected to stick with the same starting XI that gave them victory against Melbourne Victory.
Possible line-ups
James Delianov; Noah Smith, Michael Jakobsen, Jordan Elsey, Ryan Strain; Joe Caletti, Louis D’Arrigo; Yaya Dukuly, Stefan Mauk, Ben Halloran; Tomi Juric
Sydney F.C
Second-placed Sydney F.C, who are looking to make sure of their place in the playoffs, travel to Adelaide intending to pick maximum points. The visitors have been in good form recently and head into this tie with three wins and a draw from their last four A-League matches.
Their impressive showings in recent times have been built on a strong backline that has kept three clean sheets in their last three games. Steve Corica’s side have conceded just nine times all season and are behind only Adelaide, who have conceded just seven goals, as the team with the best defensive record.
Unbeaten in six of their last eight away matches, the Sky Blues will look to make it four wins in four matches when they take on their rivals in their 55th meeting ever.
Adam Pavlesic, who was involved in a sickening clash in the AFC Champions League in December, remains on the sideline despite making some progress with his recovery, while Christopher Zuvela remains absent due to injury.
Possible line-ups
Tom Heward-Belle; Joel King, Ben Warland, Alex Wilkinson, Rhyan Grant; Luke Brattan, Alexander Baumjohann, Milos Ninkovic, Anthony Caceres; Luke Ivanovic, Bobo.
Betting Odds
Prediction
Adelaide 1-1 Sydney F.C
