Melbourne City host Adelaide United in a potentially decisive top-six Hyundai A-League affair on Saturday (kick-off 5.35pm AEST).
Only a single point separates fifth-placed Adelaide and sixth-placed City on the ladder and with just three rounds remaining a defeat would be a huge blow to either side’s desire to host a home Elimination Final.
These two sides boast nearly identical for and against columns, sharing the same 29 goals conceded, while City (32) have scored one more than the Reds (31).
Given their records, the high-stakes pressure and the measured, gritty approach often favoured by both sides it almost guarantees the clash at AAMI Park will be an almighty arm-wrestle.
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But that is exactly the sort of dynamic City have relished against their opponents from the City of Churches.
Warren Joyce’s side are undefeated in their last six fixtures against the Reds (W4, D2), keeping a clean sheet in each of those four wins.
The floodgates finally opened for goal-shy Adelaide in Round 24’s 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix, but they have found the net just twice in their last 543 minutes of football against Melbourne City.
And with City undefeated in their last 10 Hyundai A-League fixtures at home, the visitors will require all of Craig Goodwin’s class in order for Marco Kurz’s men to emerge from the Sky Blues’ AAMI Park fortress unscathed.
Key Opta facts
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Melbourne City are undefeated in their last six Hyundai A-League fixtures against Adelaide United (W4, D2), keeping a clean sheet in each of those four wins.
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Adelaide United have only scored two goals in their last 543 minutes of Hyundai A-League football against Melbourne City.
- Melbourne City are undefeated in their last 10 Hyundai A-League fixtures at home (W6, D4). They have achieved this mark twice before, but never extended it to 11.
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Ins and Outs
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI, 2.Ritchie DE LAET, 4.Harrison DELBRIDGE, 5.Bart SCHENKEVELD, 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 8.Riley McGREE, 9.Shayon HARRISON, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 18.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 19.Lachlan WALES, 21.Ramy NAJJARINE, 22.Curtis GOOD, 25.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 26.Luke BRATTAN, 27.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER, 29.Jamie MACLAREN **two to be omitted**
Ins: 10.Dario Vidosic (promoted), 25.Iacopo LA ROCCA (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 3.Scott Jamieson (toe), 30.Moudi NAJJAR (ankle)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Daniel MARGUŠ (gk), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 6.Vince LIA, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.Isaías SÁNCHEZ (c), 11.Craig GOODWIN, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIĆ, 19.Jordy THOMASSEN, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN, 24.Pacifique NIYONGABIRE, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Louis D’ARRIGO, 31.Mirko BOLAND, 32.Carlo ARMIENTO **two to be omitted**
Ins: 24.Pacifique NIYONGABIRE (promoted), 27.Louis D’ARRIGO (promoted), 32.Carlo ARMIENTO (promoted)
Outs: 33.Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS (suspended – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 4.Ryan STRAIN (hamstring), 9.Baba DIAWARA (knee), 10.Ken ILSØ (suspended), 23.Jordan ELSEY (foot)
How to watch
Tune in to FOX SPORTS 506 to see which side nails their top-four ambitions to the mast with kick-off at 5.35pm (AEST). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, or subscribe to Kayo Sports.
Tickets
Click HERE to secure your seat at AAMI Park for this sixth-versus-fifth encounter.
