Two Socceroos strikers are set to face off when Jamie Maclaren’s Melbourne City travel to face Tomi Juric and Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Juric, who has 41 international caps to his name, returned to Australia after a five-year spell in Europe for the 2020/21 campaign, with an eagerness to win back his Socceroos shirt after his recent absence from Graham Arnold’s plans.
The 29-year-old couldn’t find the back of the net in his return to action as Adelaide drew 0-0 with Western United in Matchweek 1, but neither could Socceroos and City spearhead Jamie Maclaren as his side clinched a 1-0 win on the road against Brisbane Roar.
The pair will go toe-to-toe on Sunday afternoon with Maclaren lacking the assistance of fellow Socceroos forward Andrew Nabbout, who will be sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring strain.
City’s win over Brisbane was the perfect start for Patrick Kisnorbo in his first game as head coach, as he prepares his squad to challenge for silverware once again after the heartache of Grand Final defeat to Sydney FC in the 2019/20 campaign.
But the title aspirants will find difficulty in overcoming their opponents on Sunday afternoon; Adelaide offered City an even battle last season, with a home win to both sides and a draw coming from their three league meetings.
City travel to Coopers Stadium sharing Adelaide’s ambition to remain unbeaten after two games in the 2020/21 campaign, but with goals coming at a premium in Matchweek 1 can either side’s Australian marksman guide their team to victory?
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Match details
Sunday, 3 January 2021
Kick-off: 6.05pm AEDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
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