For Glory, reaching another Westfield FFA Cup final has given the club a huge lift. But will Perth have enough gas left in the tank in what is their third game in seven days?
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MATCH DETAILS
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Perth Glory v Adelaide United
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off : 4:00 PM (Local) (7:00 PM (AEDT))
Referee : Adam Fielding
Assistant Referee 1 : Mathew Cheeseman
Assistant Referee 2 : Josh Mannella
Fourth Official : David Bruce
TV Broadcast : Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast : 720 ABC Perth, 891 Adelaide, ABC Local Radio WA, ABC Local Radio SA, Grandstand Digital & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvADL
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Perth Glory squad : 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 3.Marc WARREN, , 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Gyorgy SANDOR, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11. Richard GARCIA (c), 12.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Hagi GLIGOR, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Guyon FERNANDEZ, 21. Stefan VALENTINI 23.Michael THWAITE
***Two to be omitted***
Ins: 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC (return from injury), 11. Richard GARCIA (return from suspension), 21. Stefan VALENTINI,
Outs: nil
Unavailable: .Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee – indefinite)
Adelaide United squad: 2.Michael MARRONE, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.PABLO SANCHEZ, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA (c), 11.Bruce DJITE, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 14.George MELLS, 15.Ben WARLAND, 16.Craig GOODWIN, 17.Mate DUGANDZIC, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 20.John HALL (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 28.Antoni TRIMBOLI, 30.John SOLARI (gk)
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 11.Bruce DJITE (return from injury), 12.Mark OCHIENG (promoted), 28.Antoni TRIMBOLI (promoted)
Outs: 19.Eli BABALJ (foot – 6 weeks)
Unavailable: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (knee – 5 weeks), 4.Iacopo LA ROCCA (foot – 4 weeks ), 19.Eli BABALJ (foot – 6 weeks), 23.Jordan ELSEY (knee – 1 week), 24.Bruce KAMAU (hip – 2 weeks)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
An underwhelming start to the season for both clubs, but it’s early days and there’s enough talent in both squads to push for finals claims next April.
The pressing question for Glory fans is ‘how fresh will their players be’? Three games in a week (albeit all in Perth) is an early test of their pre-season fitness program – as well as Kenny Lowe’s ability to rotate his troops.
But if emotion counts for anything, the adrenaline from Wednesday night’s semi final win should boost Glory’s energy levels. And they do have a seven day window before their next game.
On the other hand, Adelaide’s two draws so far indicate a work in progress in terms of the tweaked game plan under new boss Guillermo Amor.
History suggests Perth like this fixture (see Opta Data below) but the Reds will fancy themselves.
With a nine-day rest since Round 2, there’s no excuse for Adelaide. They will aim to run Glory ragged in the latter stages hoping weary legs will lead to Glory mistakes.
OPTA DATA
- · Perth have only lost two of their last 11 home A-League meetings with Adelaide United (W4 D5)
- · However, Adelaide are on their longest unbeaten run against Perth Glory in the A-League (W4 D5).
- · Glory’s Nebojsa Marinkovic has scored in the last two encounters with United.
- · Adelaide United have not recorded a draw in their last 15 away matches in the A-League regular season (W8 L7)
ROUTE TO GOAL
For Glory, watch out for Nebo Marinkovic. The midfield magician loves scoring against the Reds. And fellow import Gyorgy Sandor’s scoring form in the FFA Cup will sooner or later transfer to the A-League, but you’d have to fancy Perth at set-pieces.
As Perth’s Dino Djulbic said midweek, other teams are “scared” of Glory at set pieces, and they’ll ask questions of young keeper John Hall in the Reds goal.
You’d think Sergio Cirio will be front and centre for the visitors, playing across the forward line in Amor’s more free-form strike-force.
Central striker Bruce Djite is back – timely given Eli Babalj’s injury – and expect him to come on late especially if they’re changing a result.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Perth Glory. Won their Westfield FFA Cup semi final on Wednesday 3-1, and now have a chance to hoist the first trophy of the season next month.
Perth Glory surge into Westfield FFA Cup final
FORM LINES
Perth Glory LL
Adelaide United DD
PREDICTION
Perth Glory 1-1 Adelaide United