The blood is already beginning to boil in the City of Churches for Adelaide United’s hugely anticipated meeting with Melbourne Victory.
This Hyundai A-League clash is always a fiery one, and Friday evening’s fourth-against-third face off is sure to be no different.
And to preview the big match, we are bringing you the Original Rivalry stats that matter.
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ORIGINAL RIVALRY PREVIEW: All you need to know ahead of Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
MUSCAT: ‘I can’t remember a dull game against them’
Head to head – the all-time record in the Hyundai A-League
They conceded bragging rights last time out but Victory comfortably have the historical edge over their Adelaide rivals.
Melbourne have amassed 25 wins in the 48 matches played between the two sides, compared to Adelaide’s 13.
They’ve also dominated the lion’s share of goals, netting 79 to Adelaide’s 53.
And, impressively, Kevin Muscat’s men have only scored two strikes fewer than the Reds in Adelaide, netting 26 to their opponents’ 28.
|
Played |
ADL Wins |
Draws |
MVC Wins |
ADL Goals |
MVC Goals |
Overall |
48 |
13 |
10 |
25 |
53 |
79 |
in Adelaide |
21 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
28 |
26 |
Players who have featured most in the Original Rivalry
The name of Archie Thompson still sends a shiver down the spine of many a Reds fan.
Thompson famously scored five goals when these two teams faced off in the 2007 Grand Final – a 6-0 win for Victory – and the striker is the all-time highest appearance maker in the fixture.
However, the ex-Caltex Socceroo will be joined on 32 appearances should Victory stalwart Leigh Broxham (31) feature at the weekend.
Legendary Adelaide United and current Melbourne City goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic has played in 27 meetings, with 26 of those for Adelaide, and one for Melbourne.
Former Victory defender Adrian Leijer is next on 24, edging ex-Adelaide star Travis Dodd’s 23. Michael Marrone, also in line to grace the pitch for the Reds on Friday, has made 17 Original Rivalry appearances.
Player |
Games |
Archie Thompson |
32 |
Leigh Broxham |
31 |
Eugene Galekovic |
27 |
Adrian Leijer |
24 |
Travis Dodd |
23 |
Grant Brebner |
22 |
Rodrigo Vargas |
22 |
Kevin Muscat |
21 |
Daniel Allsopp |
19 |
Michael Marrone |
17 |
Robbie Cornthwaite |
17 |
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5711384644001
Grand Final haul sees Thompson at top-scorer summit
Thompson’s 2007 Grand Final antics are iconic, and it is no surprise to see the forward top the all-time scorers list with 13 strikes from his 32 games against the Reds.
Travis Dodd made a career of scoring important goals from midfield and seven of his career efforts arrived in the Original Rivalry. That tally is matched by current Victory boss Kevin Muscat and the prolific ex-Hyundai A-League marksman Besart Berisha.
Berisha’s last goal against the Reds was that famous overhead kick in the 2017/18 semi-final in Melbourne.
Player |
Games |
Goals |
Archie Thompson |
32 |
13 |
Travis Dodd |
23 |
7 |
Kevin Muscat |
21 |
7 |
Besart Berisha |
13 |
7 |
Sergio Cirio |
11 |
5 |
Daniel Allsopp |
19 |
4 |
Marco Rojas |
8 |
4 |
Serginho |
5 |
4 |
Marcelo Carrusca |
12 |
3 |
Carlos Hernandez |
17 |
3 |
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5774648161001
The bad boys
It won’t come as a surprise to many Hyundai A-League fans that former Victory captain and now manager Kevin Muscat is on top of the list for yellow cards in this heated fixture.
Those same fans may be surprised at the identity of the man who shares the ‘honour’ with him, though: one Tarek Elrich.
The former Red picked up an equal eight cautions but in almost half the time, 11 games compared to Muscat’s 21.
A yellow for Leigh Broxham on Friday night would make it a three-way tie next time these two meet.
Player |
Games |
Yellow Cards |
Kevin Muscat |
21 |
8 |
Tarek Elrich |
11 |
8 |
Leigh Broxham |
31 |
7 |
Adrian Leijer |
24 |
7 |
Isaias |
16 |
6 |
Travis Dodd |
23 |
5 |
Michael Marrone |
17 |
5 |
Nigel Boogaard |
10 |
5 |
The Original Rivalry game-changers
Isaias will retire a Reds legend when he does eventually decide to hang up the boots and his legacy in this fixture is clear to see.
In 16 games against Victory, the Spaniard has created 25 chances, five better than compatriot Sergio Cirio.
The closest current player at either club is Victory’s James Troisi, with 17 chances in 11 matches.
Player |
Games |
Chances Created |
Isaias |
16 |
25 |
Sergio Cirio |
11 |
20 |
Gui Finkler |
11 |
19 |
Marcelo Carrusca |
12 |
18 |
James Troisi |
11 |
17 |
Kosta Barbarouses |
13 |
14 |
Ben Garuccio |
7 |
14 |