The returning Josh Brillante says Sydney FC are expecting a similar result against Adelaide United to the one they dished up on Boxing Day when they mauled the Reds in SA.
In one of their best performances in their unbeaten season so far, the Sky Blues cruised to a 4-1 win over the Reds at Coopers last month.
Now the two sides meet again in a Harvey Norman Friday night blockbuster at Allianz Stadium and Brillante – back after a one-game suspension – senses there’s more of the same to come.
Hyundai A-League preview: Sydney FC v Adelaide United
“We’re expecting a great result again…I don’t see why anything is going to change,” Brillante told reporters on Thursday.
“We’ll go out there with the same attitude we always do.
“We’ve had the preparation, we’re going out there with the winning mentality and hopefully we can get another four again.”
While right to be supremely confident given the Sky Blues’ phenomenal run so far in the 2016/17 Season, Adelaide’s recent record in Sydney is excellent.
The Reds haven’t lost – or even conceded a single goal – in their last five regular season matches between the two sides in the Harbour City.
That includes a 0-0 draw earlier this season when Graham Arnold’s side was just getting started in their unbeaten run.
Brillante says the team camaraderie is the best he’s ever experienced in his career and has been a big factor in their surge to the top of the ladder.
“Even since day one when I arrived in pre-season, just on the training park leading into the games, the way everyone has gelled together and wants to play for each other and backs everyone up is amazing,” he said.
“I’ve never really had that before. The feeling you get when you’re out there is fantastic.
“The team that we have, the set up here and the way we play, [staying undefeated] is definitely something we knew we could do and we’ve been doing it so far and we’re not going to stop,” he added.
“To have that kind of confidence among the team is a big help [going forward] but I don’t think we really need that. With the depth we have in the squad and the way we play, it just happens naturally.”
The Adelaide clash marks the start of a tricky run for the Sky Blues, who then have a massive Australia Day Big Blue against Melbourne Victory, followed by a home clash with a resurgent Wellington and a trip to Suncorp Stadium to play Brisbane Roar.
New Sky Blues signing Jordy Buijs won’t take on the Reds as he awaits his international clearance with young Aaron Calver in line to keep his spot in the heart of Sydney FC’s defence.
