The opening fixture of Round 5 sees Melbourne City travel to Adelaide to face the Reds on Thursday night.
The clash looms as one that neither club can afford to lose, with both struggling for positive results early in the season.
City boss John Van’ t Schip is under pressure following his side’s second-half capitulation against the Jets last Friday at AAMI Park, giving up a 2-0 half time lead to lose 3-2.
Despite the disappointing start, City can point to the massive injury problem that has swept through the club since the pre-season, and will be boosted by the return of Aaron Hughes and Harry Novillo, whilst Keeper’ Tando Velaphi is likely to return to the bench in Alex Pavlidis’ place, with Dane Thomas Sorensen currently in control of a first team place.
Jason Trifiro and Erik Paartalu have also returned to the side’s extended squad.
Despite the returns, City are still missing the likes of Ivan Franjic, Michael Zullo and Robert Koren.
Adelaide have struggled to retain the form that saw them win the FFA Cup – as well as reach the semi-finals of the league – last season, having taken just two points from a possible 12 so far.
They too are coming off a disappointing performance, dispatched by Brisbane 3-0 at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday.
New Coach Guillermo Amor will be desperate for his first three points, and will be encouraged by the return of young duo Bruce Kamau and Jordan Elsey, both of whom come back from injury.
Mate Dugandzic will be looking to impress against his most recent club, whilst Marcelo Carrusca will be hoping to regain a glimpse of the form he enjoyed last season.
In goals, John Hall will continue to deputise for captain Eugene Galekovic, who is still three weeks away with a knee injury.
Key Battles
Bruce Djite vs Patrick Kisnorbo
Adelaide have been struggling to score goals, having hit the back of the net just twice this season, while City have had the opposite problem, conceding eight at an average of two goals per game. Therefore, Djite will be under pressure to break both his individual and club’s goal drought – as both of Adelaide’s strikes this season have been own goals. Kisnorbo will be under pressure as the captain, and leader of the defence, to ensure that City don’t leak goals once again. Whoever does their job better may go a long way to deciding the game.
Isaias v Aaron Mooy
The tough-tackling Spaniard is going to have a task on his hands against City’s star Socceroo Mooy, who has been one of his side’s few bright lights this season. Isaias will likely be responsible for trying to stifle the impact of Mooy, who will as usual be tasked with dictating the play.
Predicted lineup
Bench: Velaphi, Novillo, Hughes, Paartalu, Dekker
Predicted result
City should be the better side here, despite being the away team. Expect a big reaction after last week. 2-1 City.