Adelaide United is unlikely to make wholesale changes to its line-up with the Reds chasing a top-two position this weekend.
United is one point behind Melbourne and Sydney and a victory against the Central Coast Mariners at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday would put pressure on those sides to maintain their lofty spots on the ladder.
Coach Aurelio Vidmar was tight-lipped about his final squad but said the team was keen to win. The selection process is set to be more conservative than it was when the South Australian side made eight changes for its Round 5 Hyundai A-League clash against Sydney.
“It’s another home game for us and we need to take the three points to give ourselves a little bit of freedom to be amongst the top two in the competition,” Vidmar said.
“Our form leading into the ACL games – we lost two games, one against Melbourne and one against Sydney – that’s something we really need to rectify.”
“We really need to go out there and give everything we possibly can.”
Reliable defender Sasa Ognenovski will sit out the club’s semi-final against Bunyodkor because of suspension but is likely to be used against the Mariners.
“This week I’m going to play the strongest possible team, I’m not worried about (next) Wednesday. My concern is getting my team ready for Friday,” Vidmar said.
Two players who will sit out the Round 7 clash are Kristian Sarkies and vice captain Lucas Pantelis.
Sarkies has bad bruising on his big toe after he attempted a shot but collected the boot stud of an opposition player along the way. He also missed the team’s contest against the Newcastle Jets.
“Any sort of pressure putting on his boots and running is causing a bit of grief. He’s done a bit of running which is good so hopefully he should be available for next week,” Vidmar said.
Meanwhile Pantelis’ groin continues to give him grief.
“Lucas last week fell back in his rehab and so we’ve had to modify it again and he’s had to increase it this week. Certainly this Friday he won’t be in consideration to play.”
Vidmar said he was pleased his team had a long break between games and was hopeful his players would be fresh for the encounter. But he said the biggest challenge was to match the intensity of the Mariners.
“It’s going to be physically a real big battle for us because Central Coast are a physical team. They are not flashy or brilliant but they can certainly play good tough football,” Vidmar said.
“If we can match them in that aspect then I think we are good enough to take the three points.”
