In the Match of the Round, Adelaide United host Para Hills Knights in Round 16 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League at The Parks Football Centre on Sunday.
With both Clubs in touching distance of a crucial top six spot, ninth placed Adelaide United and eighth Para Hills, will it all to play for.
It was a close encounter when the two sides last met in Round 5 at the bottom of the table.
Despite an early lead through Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, the Reds fell to the Knights 1-2, courtesy of a brace by Yohei Matsumoto at The Paddocks.
A lot has changed since March and both Clubs have shown they are capable of causing an upset proving many doubters wrong in several match-ups.
Adelaide United have a solid squad, with Hamish and Liam McCabe, Captain Josh Mori, Pacifique Niyongabire and Blake Carpenter, as well as a tenacious defence including Jordan Maricic and Zak Waters.
But United will have to keep a close eye on the Knights’ danger-man Alex Mullen who has been lethal in front of goal, and is currently third on the golden boot standings with 11 goals.
Adelaide United Head Coach, Huss Skenderovic is aware of the Knights’ threats, and said it is important that his side is focused for 90 minutes.
”Especially with the game coming up on the weekend against Para Hills Knights, it is important that we focus on 90 minutes of football,” he said.
“It is a big game, and there is a lot riding on it, so it’s important that the players anticipate and know what they have to do.
“They are definitely up for the challenge and are excited by it, and they have the belief that they can compete at this level.”
Adelaide United want to get back on track with beating the teams that they have previously lost against, including their opponents on the weekend.
“We did lose against them in our last meeting, so we want to beat them and make better of ourselves.
“It is like, they took three points from us, now we are going to take three points from you.
“And looking at how we have performed against some of the top teams, it gives us the confidence and belief that the teams who are hovering around us, we are above them.
“That is definitely a good mindset for us to have, with preparing for the game.
“With Para Hills being a better ball-playing side, that will suit us and I think we might have a lot more of the ball.
“It will just come down to how effective we can be with it, and will continue to work on that during the week before the match.”
The Young Reds face Para Hills Knights at The Parks Football Centre on Sunday. Kick-off is 3pm, Reserves at 1pm. Entry: Adults $10, Concession $5, 16 and under FREE!
