Adelaide United will be looking to consolidate their remarkable resurgence when they host Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds are unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches and have completely turned their season around after a disastrous start to the campaign. Their current undefeated streak is the longest in a single season in the club’s history with Adelaide desperate to continue their rich vein of form against a Brisbane side they are yet to triumph over at home in a league meeting since 2010. A dramatic stoppage-time 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory last Friday, ended a run of nine winless games in all competitions over their fierce rivals.
It was also United’s first win in Victoria in more than five years in a match where they demonstrated resoluteness in defence and attacking verve on the break. That win maintained third spot on the table with 33 points, two points off league leaders Western Sydney, but only five ahead of the seventh placed Perth Glory – illustrating how evenly poised the competition is.
Meanwhile, Brisbane are in a miniature form slump, with a 2-2 draw against Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium being followed by a resounding 6-3 loss against a rampant Glory outfit last week. The Roar were shambolic in defence, with coach John Aloisi particularly unimpressed by his side’s marking on set-pieces. Aloisi will be hoping for an urgent response from his players when they face Adelaide in order to stay in touch with the frontrunners. The Roar are equal top with the Wanderers, but second due to an inferior goal difference and could be as low as fourth this week if results go against them.
Key Battle – Stefan Mauk vs Corona
The battle in central midfield could be a crucial area in deciding the outcome of proceedings. Stefan Mauk has been a major reason the Reds have rarely missed Jimmy Jeggo with the young midfielder filling the void admirably. Mauk has an industrious defensive work-rate while also exhibiting his sublime distribution of the ball to ignite Adelaide’s attacking play with incisive passes.
In contrast, Corona is a deep lying playmaker who utilises short and longer passes to facilitate Brisbane’s extended periods of possession. The Spaniard’s ability to control the midfield has been fundamental to the success of the Roar this season and it comes as no surprise he spent several years plying his trade in La Liga with Almeria.
Team News
Adelaide boss Guillermo Amor will be without centre-back Iacopo La Rocca for another week, who is still serving his suspension following an incident against Sydney FC. Midfielder George Mells has recovered from a knock he sustained in training which forced him to miss the Victory match, while Eli Babalj remains out for the season with a ruptured ACL.
Adelaide United expected starting XI: Galekovic; Marrone, McGowan, Elsey, Elrich; Isaias, Mauk, Carrusca; Goodwin, Djite Cirio
As for the Roar, defender Jerome Polenz and striker Jean Carlos Solorzano remain on the sidelines both nursing quad injuries. The duo should be fit in time for the imminent A-League finals, if of course they finish in the top six. Prodigious talent Jamie Maclaren will likely lead the line for the visitors, despite being replaced during the second-half against the Glory as a precaution due to a tight hamstring.
Brisbane Roar expected starting XI: Theo; Hingert, North, Donachie, Stefanutto; Corona, McKay, Petratos; Broich, Maclaren, Borrello
Head-to-head
Brisbane just edge the head-to-head count with 14 wins to the Reds’ 13, leaving eight draws. However, disregarding a 2-1 elimination final at Adelaide Oval, the South Australians have failed to come up trumps over their Queensland opponents at Coopers Stadium in the league since a 2-0 win in 2010.
Previous Meeting
The previous encounter between the pair occurred in round 16 when Adelaide secured a 4-1 away drubbing of the Roar. A brace from Bruce Djite and a screamer from Marcelo Carrusca handed the visitors a convincing victory.
Prediction
With the past 12 league meetings ending in a winner, expect another end-to-end affair. The Reds may look to replicate the tactics which worked so effectively against Brisbane in January, by sitting back and allowing the Roar to dominate possession, before trying to exploit them on the counter. The Roar have an exceptional record in the city of churches, losing a mere four times which is certainly a good omen heading into the clash. Although, given Adelaide showed maturity and resistance in their long overdue win in Melbourne, the Reds appear favourites to prolong their incredible resurgence for at least another week.
Adelaide United 2 Brisbane Roar 1
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