A lot is on the line for Adelaide United in the latest instalment of the Original Rivalry at AAMI Park on Sunday.
For the fourth time this season the Reds let a one goal lead slip, this time falling 2-1 away to Perth Glory on Wednesday.
It is something Carl Veart stresses his side must rectify as it has been punished for its inability to convert chances into goals.
Picking up three points against second to bottom Victory, who are winless in six games and have lost four straight, is absolutely necessary to remain in the top six.
Adelaide has won six of its previous seven encounters against Victory but have never won successive matches in Victoria against their old foes – that could change following the 3-1 triumph at Marvel Stadium back in March.
It could also be the first time the Reds secure three wins over their adversaries in a single season since the inaugural 2005/06 campaign.
An intriguing game awaits as United prepare for its final road trip of the regular season ahead of two home matches against the Sydney sides to close out the campaign.
Veart on not underestimating Victory…
Even though (Melbourne) Victory haven’t had the best of seasons, it doesn’t really matter in these type of games because it’s a big rivalry. So it’s important that we don’t allow them to get any confidence in the game.
Veart on the congested table and the need to collect wins…
It’s very tight at the moment in the competition. It’s important we look after ourselves and pick up a couple of wins in the last two games
Veart on hoping for a response after Perth defeat…
It was disappointing we lost. We were quite comfortable for long periods in that game but we just didn’t score goals. In the end that’s what matters the most is scoring goals and we didn’t score and that’s something that we need to rectify going into the Victory game.
Veart on hectic schedule and squad rotation…
Both of them are fit (Michael Jakobsen and Stefan Mauk), so it’s just the way it is. You have to manage your squad and there’s going to be players coming in and players going out and we’re confident in the squad that we’ve got that all players when they’re called upon can do a job.
Team news
Joe Caletti, Yaya Dukuly, Michael Jakobsen and Pacifique Niyongabire have all been promoted. After pulling out of the warm-up against Perth, Stefan Mauk has also been declared fit.
Tomi Juric is absent as he continues nursing a calf strain, while Nathan Konstandopoulos and Joe Gauci are remain unavailable with long-term injuries.
Adelaide United squad: 1.James DELIANOV (gk), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.George TIMOTHEOU, 4.Ryan STRAIN, 6.Louis D’ARRIGO, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.Stefan MAUK (c), 11.Craig GOODWIN, 18.Joe CALETTI, 19.Yaya DUKULY, 21.Javi LÓPEZ, 22.Michael JAKOBSEN, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 24.Pacifique NIYONGABIRE, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Josh CAVALLO, 28.JUANDE, 29.Kusini YENGI, 33.Dakota OCHSENHAM (gk), 35.Al Hassan TOURE
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 18.Joe CALETTI (promoted), 19.Yaya DUKULY (promoted), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN (promoted), 24.Pacifique NIYONGABIRE (promoted)
Outs: 17.Mohamed TOURE (not selected)
Unavailable: 9.Tomi JURIC (calf), 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (knee), 46.Joe GAUCI (quadricep)
Head-to-head
Played: 54
Wins: 18
Draws: 10
Losses: 26
Last five meetings
1-3 win (A)
1-0 win (H)
2-1 loss (A)
1-0 win (H)
3-1 win (H)
Ones to watch
Kusini Yengi has been Adelaide’s most dangerous player in the Reds’ preceding two games and was rewarded with a goal last time out. The 22-year-old’s hold up play and ability to bring others into the game has been impressive. Accurate deliveries into the box will be crucial for the striker, however equally he is more than capable of fashioning his own chance.
Ben Folami will be one the Reds defence will have to pay close attention to. The winger has shown glimpses of his potential with his impressive dribbling skills, so it will be important to limit the number of times he is isolated in one-on-one situations given his capacity to beat defenders with his pace.
Match details:
Sunday, 23 May vs Melbourne Victory
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 22
Kick-off 5.40pm ACST
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast: Fox Sports
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
