Adelaide United entertain the in-form Melbourne City with a grand final appearance on the line at Coopers Stadium on Friday night, in what is expected to be an engrossing semi-final clash.
Fresh off the back of their Premiers Plate success, Adelaide will be confident they can secure an inaugural home grand final at Adelaide Oval following a week off. The Reds should be rejuvenated and raring to go. Concentration and desire to retrieve the ball and pressurise the City midfield will be crucial for United in order to restrict Bruno Fornaroli’s influence on proceedings.
Replicating their impressive outing where Guillermo Amor’s troops registered a 2-0 victory over City in round 27 will go a long way to deciding the outcome. Nevertheless, despite Adelaide’s solid home record this season, they have failed to beat the Citizens twice at home this year – most recently on 5 March in a 1-0 loss.
As for the Melbournians, they have a rather quick turnaround after triumphing over Perth Glory 2-0 on Sunday, thanks to the individual brilliance of Fornaroli. The Uruguayan ultimately proved the difference on the afternoon with an absolutely mesmerising brace which involved a bicycle kick as well as a glorious free kick. Coach John van’t Schip should be pleased with the way his men acquitted themselves against the Glory and will be wanting a similar display, especially from a defensive viewpoint.
Key Battle – Iacopo La Rocca vs Bruno Fornaroli
La Rocca has a huge responsibility to curtail Fornaroli and prevent him from grabbing a stranglehold on the match. The Italian must be at his best, otherwise the Uruguayan has the ability have a game-winning impact.
CrownBet match odds at time of publishing
As previously alluded to, the goal-scoring prowess of Fornaroli means he will be a constant handful for the Reds’ back-four. His season tally of 25 goals is phenomenal and coupled with his dribbling ability and perceptive eye for goal illustrates he is a complete forward.
Team News
Amor will likely have a full squad to pick from for the intriguing meeting, as stalwart Tarek Elrich is expected to return after overcoming a groin issue, but will probably feature from the bench. The Spaniard is set to name an unchanged line-up for a fourth consecutive game, given the importance of settling on a stable XI during the finals series and how continuity is key in any successful side. However, if the Barcelona legend is to include Elrich it would enable Craig Goodwin to push further forward on the left wing and probably consign Bruce Kamau to a substitute role.
BREAKING | Harry Novillo's ban has been UPHELD. He will not take part this Friday | https://t.co/uHxdE0phJc | #ALFinals #ADLvMCY
— Outside90 (@Outside90) April 19, 2016
As for City, John van’t Schip could also stick with the same XI which comfortably dispatched the Glory in the elimination final last time out. Harry Novillo remains omitted as he serves the second game of his two-match suspension for violent conduct in that melee versus Adelaide, while Michael Zullo is out for the rest of the campaign, continuing his recovery from a broken toe suffered against Perth on matchday 26.
Head-to-Head
Adelaide and Melbourne have encountered on 18 occasions with the South Australians registering eight triumphs to City’s five. Both teams have won three games apiece in their preceding six meetings, with the last draw occurring in April 2014.
Previous Meeting
The most recent clash happened on the final round of the regular season. Adelaide were steadfast in defence and largely dominated the match to win 2-0 courtesy of an Isaias free kick and a Djite penalty.
Prediction
With the meanest defence pitted against the most lethal attack, it should translate into a match for the ages. It was only two weeks’ ago that the Reds nullified their opponents at AAMI Park and if they can demonstrate that discipline and organisation, Amor’s men will be difficult to break down. In contrast, City possess more than enough quality and firepower in attack even without the suspended Novillo to trouble United’s back four. However, in saying that Adelaide’s momentum and vociferous home crowd will carry them over the line in a tight affair.
Adelaide United 2 Melbourne City 1
*Crownbet match odds at time of publishing are subject to change
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