All eyes will be on Allianz for Harvey Norman Friday Night Football as the resurgent Reds look to spring another upset, this time it’s Graham Arnold’s unbeaten, ladder-leading Sky Blues in their way.
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MATCH DETAILS
Friday, 20 January 2017
Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off:Â 7:50PM (Local) (7:50PM (AEDT))
Referee:Â Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1:Â Owen Goldrick
Assistant Referee 2:Â Scott Edeling
Fourth Official:Â Stephen Lucas
TV Broadcast:Â Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT), SBS VICELAND from 7.30pm AEDT and Sky Sport Pop-Up (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Adelaide, ABC Radio NSW/SA, Grandstand Digital Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live, Crocmedia A-League Live (www.facebook.com/A-leagueLIVERadio)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #SYDvADL
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4.Alex WILKINSON, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 9.BOBÔ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Bernie IBINI, 12.Aaron CALVER, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 17.David CARNEY, 18.Matt SIMON, 19.George BLACKWOOD, 20.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 21.Filip HOLOSKO, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 25.Patrick FLOTTMANN
**two to be omitted**
Ins:Â 6.Josh BRILLANTE (return from suspension), 19.George BLACKWOOD (promoted)
Outs:Â Nil
Unavailable: 5.Jordy BUIJS (awaiting International Clearance), 22.Sebastian RYALL (hamstring – indefinite)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) (c), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Taylor REGAN, 7.HENRIQUE, 8.ISAĂŤAS, 9.Sergi GUARDIOLA, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Sergio CIRIO, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 14.George MELLS, 18.Riley McGREE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.John HALL (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Ryan KITTO, 24.Jordan O’DOHERTYÂ
**two to be omitted**
Ins:Â 3.Iacopo LA ROCCA (returns from injury), 14.George MELLS (returns from injury), 18.Riley McGREE (returns from injury), 21.Tarek ELRICH (returns from suspension)
Outs:Â 16.Jesse MAKAROUNAS (not selected), 25.James HOLLAND
Unavailable: 17.Nikola MILEUSNIC (quad – 1 week), 23.Jordan ELSEY (knee – season)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Before last round, a summer of discontent was building around Adelaide United with some fans voicing their displeasure at the way their title defence was playing out.
But 90 minutes later – and a hard-earned 2-1 win over Melbourne City – and all of a sudden there’s a sense of optimism in the City of Churches.
Gui Amor’s side played with passion and scrapped for everything against City, and the Red Army loved every bit of it.
Seasons can often be defined by those types of backs-to-the-wall wins. Could that victory be the catalyst for huge second half of the season?Â
It’s perhaps too early to say but we’ll know a lot more about their hopes and if they have built some momentum after a clash with the unbeaten league-leaders.
There’s no doubt the mood at training this week will have been a whole lot better.
And they’ll need every bit of that confidence and renewed spirit to beat Sydney FC. The Sky Blues were disappointed in their performance in the derby stalemate last weekend.
The home side get Josh Brillante back from suspension for this one, but it’s come too early for new Dutch defender Jordy Buijs, who is waiting for his international clearance.Â
James Holland’s move to China means there is a spot open in Adelaide’s midfield, with either George Mells or Marcelo Carrusca likely to come into the starting side.
OPTA DATA
Hyundai A-League Round 16 stats preview
ROUTE TO GOAL
The Reds have had contrasting fortunes against Sydney so far this season.
While they shut the Sky Blues out completely in their previous clash at Allianz, they shipped four when the sides met at Coopers on Boxing Day.
Which Adelaide defence will turn up for this one?
If it’s the one we saw just last month, then expect Sydney’s front four to make them pay again.
It was on transition where Sydney had joy in that clash and if their pressing game is strong again, it’s an area the Reds must be wary of – especially as Bobo, Brosque, Holosko and Ninkovic have been sensational all season, even if they were slightly off last weekend.
Amor changed things up against City, opting for the more mobile and pacy Sergio Cirio up front in place of Sergi Guardiola.
It gave his side more of a threat in behind, with some quality balls over the top often catching out City’s high line.
Youngsters Ryan Kitto and Jordan O’Doherty were impressive as well, providing plenty of energy and work-rate.
It will be interesting to see what the Reds boss does with Marcelo Carrusca as well. The Argentine playmaker was left on the bench against City but his class and experience could be vital if they are too spring an upset this Friday night.Â
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK
Mark Ochieng. The 20-year-old shot himself into the spotlight with a superb winner off the bench against Melbourne City last time out to keep Adelaide’s season alive. Will Amor give him a chance from the start against the unbeaten league leaders?
FORM LINES (last five games)
Sydney FC: WWWWD
Adelaide: LLDLW
PREDICTION
Sydney FC 3-1 Adelaide United
