Brisbane Roar are set to welcome an Adelaide side currently on a seven-game unbeaten run, in a what will be a key encounter for both teams heading toward the finals charge.
For Brisbane it is a chance at redemption, after being at the receiving end of a dominating 4-0 loss against the Melbourne Victory last weekend. On the other hand, Adelaide have been on a recent resurgence up the table, finally entering the top six after being bottom only eight weeks ago.
Key battle – Brisbane’s Defence vs Adelaide’s Attack
Normally the key battle is a chance to look at a specific match-up within the game, a position that could decide which way the result falls. However, after last week’s dismal performance by the Roar it is more important to look at the battle that the defence faces as a whole.
Agaisnt the Victory, the Brisbane back four of Jack Hingert, Daniel Bowles, Jade North and Shane Stefanutto were found wanting on multiple occasions, looking slow and unorganised. The facts that Bowles was originally a right-midfielder, and Stefanutto is 36-years-old, were there for the whole league to see. Even the ever-reliable North was out of place and unable to grasp the gap between Gui Finkler and Besart Berisha.
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The Roar defence must now face an Adelaide attack high on confidence. After chopping and changing due to various injuries across the season, coach Guillermo Amor has settled on his front three. Pablo Sanchez, Bruce Djite and Craig Goodwin have formed an almost unstabale partnership, the ability of the two wingers to interchange sides, with Djite playing the role of target man, has worked wonders.
This game is a huge test for both these teams, and the results of battles in the Brisbane defensive third will determine the outcome of the match.
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Team news
To make matters worse, Brisbane will continue to be missing the Olyroos players, however, in a silver lining surrounding their early exit from the tournament, John Aloisi can expect Jamie Maclaren and James Donachie back earlier than expected.
For now, there may be an opening for Corey Brown with Stefanuto suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards, while Dimitri Petratos may get a chance up front with Jean Carlos Solorzano out with a thigh injury, in what may be a blessing in disguise
For Adelaide, captain Eugene Galekovic returns between the posts while star winger Sergio Cirio is still out with an injury, so Sanchez will continue on the wing. The return of Galekovic will be huge for the club, as he is a leader on the field and still one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
Head-to-head
Interestingly, across the 34 matches beteen these two sides wins are almost split down the middle, with Brisbane siting on 14 compared to Adelaide’s 12. Eight games have ended in draws.
Previous meeting
The last fixture between these two teams took place at the end of October, with Brisbane running out 3-0 winners. However, in positive news for Adelaide, Maclaren and Borrello scored all the goals in the fixture, and will be missing from Friday’s game.
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Prediction
Both teams will be pushing hard for a win with maximum points key for both teams season. For Adelaide, being able to contimue their great run and pressing to score an early goal will be right at the front of the players minds. For Brisbane, a shot a redemption. This game represents the perfect opportunity to bounce back and assert themselves once again at the top of the table.
Overall both teams will cancel each other out, with Brisbane’s dip in form and lack of key players meaning Adelaide push them all the way to the final whistle.
Brisbane Roar 2 Adelaide United 2
