Match Preview: Sydney FC vs Adelaide United

Sydney FC will be out for FFA Cup Final revenge when they host Adelaide United at Jubilee Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Sky Blues suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat in Adelaide in October as Craig Goodwin’s sublime brace gave United victory in the 2018 FFA Cup decider.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514574001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5855263075001

That clash at Coopers Stadium was an enthralling end-to-end match and a repeat is possible in Kogarah as Sydney FC look to bounce back from a 3-1 loss at Perth Glory on Wednesday evening.

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Steve Corica’s men were outplayed by the table-topping Glory, a result that ended their run of four straight wins.

Adelaide, on the other hand, won on Wednesday, toppling rivals Melbourne Victory 2-0 as, perhaps ominously, Craig Goodwin scored another goal.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5987458120001

Sydney FC have had no problems scoring in recent weeks but have not kept a clean sheet in more than two months, something Corica will be keen to rectify.

And the Sky Blues have history on their side – Adelaide United have not beaten them in the Hyundai A-League since April 2016 when a Bruce Djite double gave the Reds a 2-0 away win.

Key Opta stats

Adelaide United have not scored against Sydney FC in their last three meetings in New South Wales
Nikola Mileusnic has been directly involved in four of Adelaide’s last six goals, scoring three and providing the assist for another
Sydney FC have made just 21 successful crosses this season, fewer than any other team in the competition

Ins and Outs

Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Aaron CALVER, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11. Daniel DE SILVA, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 17. Anthony CACERES, 18.Jacob TRATT, 20.Alex CISAK (gk), 21.Charles LOKOLI-NGOY, 22.Siem DE JONG, 24.Cam DEVLIN, 31.Luke IVANOVIC.

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 21.Charles LOKOLI-NGOY (promoted), 24.Cam DEVLIN (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 3.Ben WARLAND (foot – 1 weeks), 5.Jop van der LINDEN (hamstring – 2 weeks), 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (ACL – indefinite), 19.Chris ZUVELA (knee – indefinite), 23. Rhyan GRANT (International Duty)

Adelaide United squad: 1.Daniel MARGUŠ (gk), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 4.Ryan STRAIN, 6.Vince LIA, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.Isaías SÁNCHEZ (c), 10.Ken ILSØ, 11.Craig GOODWIN, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIĆ, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Louis D’ARRIGO, 31.Mirko BOLAND

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 6.Vince LIA (returns from suspension), 31.Mirko BOLAND (returns from injury)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 9.Baba DIAWARA (knee), 18.Lachlan BROOK (knee), 33.Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS (quad)