Adelaide United is on top of the ladder, and has games in hand, but is touting its match against Melbourne Victory as a must-win contest.
With five games to play, the Reds are favourites to secure the minor premiership but realise their success to this point won’t count for much if they can’t beat their closest rivals heading into the business end of the season.
The Victory is one of two teams United hasn’t beaten in 2008-09.
Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar said the team were keen to take maximum points, rather than play for a draw, at the Telstra Dome on Tuesday night.
“We set ourselves up to win every game and it’s going to be no different. It’s obviously a massive game, apart from the ACL and the Club World Cup we haven’t played such a significant game as this one tomorrow night,” Vidmar said.
“It will be a good test for us. They are in pretty good form, they’ve had a couple of good results, especially the one against Queensland last week which was never going to be an easy one for them.”
“The next couple of weeks, certainly by next Wednesday after the Queensland game, will certainly shape our season.”
But while keen to keep the points tally mounting, Vidmar said a win against the Victory wouldn’t necessarily give his players an edge heading into a probable finals campaign.
“The finals series puts up a different kettle of fish anyway, different thoughts, different mentalities, everyone thinks differently because its finals,” he said.
“Sometimes it becomes a psychological thing, some players handle those situations better than others.”
Former Victory player Kristian Sarkies also felt beating the Victory was an important goal for the side.
“I think if we can win this game against Melbourne, I think we can go on and win the league, it could be a big call but if the boys do come up against Melbourne it is a big thing to win the league and hopefully that’s what we do,” he said.
“It will be my first game back against Melbourne at Telstra Dome so all my family and friends will be there so I’ll be looking forward to it.”
United are likely to make one change to its line-up for the top-of-the table clash with Scott Jamieson still troubled by a corked hip which he sustained in the game against Perth Glory two weeks ago.
Round 18 goal scorer Alemao and the out-of-favour defender Ang Costanzo are two players that may be pushing for a place in the starting XI.
