The big question mark on this result is just how the Reds will recover for what will be their third game in a week.
Date: Sunday, January 29
Kick-off: 5pm AEDT, 4.30pm local
Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium
Head-to-head
Played 19: Wins: Adelaide 10, Perth 6, Draws: 3
Previous encounter
Perth 1, Adelaide 0, October 9, 2011
History:
These two sides have been involved in some memorable matches over the years, with Adelaide enjoying the lion-s share of success. The Reds won two out of three games last season but it was the Glory who took the spoils when the two sides last met in the very first round of this season. A second half goal to Billy Mehmet saw the Glory start the season off on the right note with a 1-0 win.
Form:
Past five matches:
Adelaide: WDDLD
Perth: DWWDW
Things are starting to get a little tougher for Adelaide since the strong start they made under new boss John Kosmina.
While the Reds have lost just once since Kossie-s return, they haven-t won in their last four games. Wednesday night-s draw with Newcastle was their third in four games and leaves them more than one win away from the top six. Will need to start turning draws into wins if they hope to make the finals.
With the exception of runaway leaders the Central Coast, Perth are the form side of the A-League. Ian Ferguson-s troops are on a six-game unbeaten run and find themselves comfortably perched in the top six. Sunday-s 4-1 thrashing of Melbourne Victory was probably their best performance of the season and all the clubs big guns seem to be firing at the right time. In another good sign, four of the matches in this streak have been on the road.
Match Committee:
Adelaide will be hopeful midfielder Zenon Caravella is available again after missing the midweek clash with Newcastle with a groin injury. Besides that the Reds have had a fairly settled squad in recent weeks with few of their long-term absentees ready to return. Cassio (ankle) and Jon KcKain (knee) are probably the closest to a return but this game has probably come too early for both of them. Milan Susak (knee) and Evgieny Levchenko (groin) are both also still unavailable.
The Glory will be hoping to get Bas van den Brink will be right to play after struggling with a corked leg in the last week. Steve Pantelidis has done a superb job in central defence during the club-s injury crisis in defence and should keep his spot regardless. Josh Mitchell (knee) may be close to a return but this game is likely to have come too early for former Reds skipper Travis Dodd (abdominal strain), who will make his first return to Hindmarsh if passed fit for this one.
Danger men:
Dario Vidosic – There were a few people questioning whether the Reds were getting value for money out of their Socceroos midfielder a few weeks ago but Vidosic is starting to show he-s one of the most skilful players in the competition.
He-s most dangerous when he finds the little pockets of space in front of the opposition-s back four and is able to release Bruce Djite and Sergio van Dijk. Should be a g ripping battle between Vidosic and Jacob Burns in the middle of the park, with the latter needing to put the shackles on if Perth are to get anything out of this one.
Shane Smeltz – You can-t keep a good man down and the same applies for top class strikers. The New Zealand international had a fairly lean run in front of goal during the Glory-s winless run but has come good in the last month – and Perth-s results have unsurprisingly improved. Grabbed two in the mauling of Melbourne Victory on Sunday and will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet again with the service he-s currently getting from the likes of Mile Sterjovski, Adrezinho and Steven McGarry.
At the end of the day… Time is starting to run out for Adelaide in their quest to salvage their season and qualify for the top six. At the start of this round the gap between the Reds and the finals places was four points. It means Kosmina-s side should be champing at the bit to get the three points here.
The Reds have been playing some eye-catching football in recent weeks, but they simply aren-t taking their chances and it-s cost them valuable points.
In contrast the Glory have been super-efficient, keeping things tight at the back and starting the find he net on a regular basis. They are confident, hungry and have all their big guns in form. Always tough to beat at home, the Glory have also seemed to find the solution for their road form and are unbeaten in the last four games on their travels.
The big question mark on this result is just how the Reds will recover for what will be their third game in a week.
It-s sure to have an effect on some of their players late in the game, especially if it-s another hot summer-s day in Adelaide. But even with that working against the home side, the fact they are in desperate need of the win – and the Glory may also be due a bit of a let-down this week – means the Reds could well get the three points and keep themselves in finals calculations.
