It’s a massive occasion for the Hyundai A-League’s greatest-ever goalscorer as Besart Berisha gets set to play his 200th game in the competition when Western United FC take on Adelaide United on Sunday.
And given Berisha’s record of delivering when it counts, the Reds defence should be on high alert in what will be the first-ever Hyundai A-League game played at Whitten Oval.
Berisha certainly comes into the clash in good form, having netted a double as United returned to winning ways on Sunday by beating Central Coast Mariners 3-0.
Mark Rudan’s side will head into this one without skipper Alessandro Diamanti though, with the Italian picking up foot injury which could keep him out for a couple of weeks.
The Reds also snapped a winless run in their most recent outing, defeating Melbourne Victory 1-0 in their #OriginalRivalry clash last Friday night.
That snapped a four-game losing run for Gertjan Verbeek’s men, who sit in sixth spot, two points and one place behind their hosts.
So it’s all to play for at Whitten Oval in the final match of Round 16.
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Sunday, 26 January 2020
Kick-off: 6pm AEDT
Venue: Whitten Oval
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
ROUND 16: How to watch Hyundai A-League Round 16
ROUND 15: Who made the Team of the Week?
Ways to watch
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How to follow the action
Match centre: Live updates, videos and statistics
Follow @ALeague on Twitter and join the conversation using #WUNvADL #ALeague
Team news
Western United FC squad: 1. Filip KURTO (GK), 4. Andrew DURANTE, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 7. Valentino YUEL, 8. Panagiotis KONE, 9. Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS, 11. Connor PAIN, 12. Dario JERTEC, 14. Max BURGESS, 15. Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 17. Joshua CAVALLO, 18. Besart BERISHA, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI, 24. Thiel (Thierry) IRADUKUNDA, 25. Luke DUZEL, 27. Jerry SKOTADIS, 28. Oskar Dillon, 30. Ryan SCOTT (GK). **2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 7. Valentino YUEL (promoted), 25. Luke DUZEL (promoted), 28. Oskar Dillon (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 2. Aaron CALVER (foot – 6 weeks), 13. Ivan VUJICA (osteitis), 20. James DELIANOV (GK) (knee – season), 3. Brendan HAMILL (knee – season)
Adelaide United squad: 2.Michael MARRONE, 4.Ryan STRAIN, 5.Michaël MARIA, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.Riley McGREE, 10.James TROISI, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIĆ, 18.Lachlan BROOK, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN (c), 23.Jordan ELSEY, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Louis D’ARRIGO, 31.Mirko BOLAND, 40.Dakota OCHSENHAM (gk) **one to be omitted**
Ins: 10.James TROISI (returns from injury)
Outs: 6.Vince LIA (departed club), 11.Kristian OPSETH (adductor)
Unavailable: 24.Pacifique NIYONGABIRE (adductor), 29.Kusini YENGI (knee), 30.Isaac RICHARDS (knee), 35.Al Hassan TOURE (international duty), 36.Noah SMITH (foot)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6124257088001
Did you know?
- Adelaide United have lost five of their last seven Hyundai A-League games away from home (W2), including their last three on the bounce.
- Western United FC are one of only two teams (Brisbane Roar) yet to have conceded a penalty this Hyundai A-League campaign, while their tally of four penalties won is the joint-most of any team (also Wellington Phoenix).
- The Reds have scored 60% of their total 20 goals this Hyundai A-League season from left-footed strikes; they are the only team in the competition to have scored more than half of their goals via this method.
- Adelaide winger Nikola Mileusnic has won possession 15 times in the final third of the pitch this Hyundai A-League season, the second most of any player in the competition behind Neil Kilkenny (18).
