A resurgent Adelaide United play host to cellar-dwellers Central Coast Mariners on Saturday in round 15 of the A-League, looking to continue their rich vein of form.
The Reds’ mid-season renaissance extended to six games under Guillermo Amor’s guidance after dispatching a plucky Perth Glory side 3-1 the previous week. That win also coincided with a return to the top six for the first time since round one. Confidence is increasing with each passing match but Adelaide must be wary of a Mariners outfit they will meet for the first time this season. The club’s disastrous start to the campaign seems somewhat of a distant memory now and coincidentally draws almost identical parallels with its resurgence during the 2013-14 edition, across the months of December and January.
Meanwhile, Central Coast, who have been situated at the foot of the table for about a month, are currently on a two-match streak without defeat. In one of the fixtures of the year last weekend, Tony Walmsley’s men took a surprise 3-0 half time lead against reigning champions Melbourne Victory, before surrendering the unprecedented win in stoppage time thanks to Besart Berisha. Despite the Gosford team’s miniature revival, the revolving departure door has shifted the focus away from its recent positive outings. Midfielder Nick Fitzgerald was released after his contract was mutually terminated last week, while speculation has suggested fellow playmaker Anthony Caceres is close to joining English heavyweights Manchester City, with a move to Melbourne City expected if Aaron Mooy embarks on a journey abroad.
Key Battle – Marcelo Carrusca vs Mitch Austin
Carrusca is in arguably the form of his life with the Reds and the principle reason behind Adelaide’s immense rejuvenation. His ability to pick out a pass and unlock a sturdy defence is one of the many strengths the 32-year-old possesses. A man of the match performance against Perth in which he garnered a goal and an assist is further vindication he is back to his best, following an underwhelming beginning to the season. The Argentine again holds the key if the South Australians are to triumph over Walmsley’s men.
Austin has been a shining light in an otherwise dreadful year for the Mariners and has three goals to his name. The English-Australian has scored twice in two weeks and poses a genuine threat to a now resilient United defence. The wide man has linked up extremely well with his team mates and if his dribbling game is on song he could cause the opposition a number of problems.
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Team News
Amor could welcome Osama Malik back from a quad injury who will have to pass a fitness test if he is chance of being included in the matchday squad and potentially feature in the starting XI. Prodigy Jordan Elsey will be unavailable through the accumulation of five yellow cards, which could also signify a maiden start for Iacopo La Rocca in the league. Speedster Bruce Kamau also remains on the sidelines for another week with a hamstring complaint, while substitute goalkeeper John Hall has been called up to the Olyroos squad for the AFC Under-23 Championship in Qatar.
As for the visitors, Walmsley will hope his new signings (predominantly from NPL clubs) can quickly adapt to life in the A-League following the exodus of established players in Fitzgerald and Caceres. Regular gloveman Paul Izzo is omitted, reportedly injured on Olyroos duty, while Roy O’Donovan is serving an eight-match ban for his controversial head-butt on New Years’ Eve. Centre-back Jacob Poscoliero is also suspended for a week after receiving his fifth caution of the season.
Head-to-Head
The Mariners have overall dominated this encounter, which incidentally involved a winning run of nine successive games from 2010 to 2013, with 16 wins to Adelaide’s 10, leaving six draws. However, the Reds have not lost at Coopers Stadium against their opponents since March 2013 – winning three straight clashes.
Previous Meeting
The previous time these two sides were pitted against each other saw Adelaide come from a goal down to succeed 2-1 in the city of churches.
Prediction
The pressure will obviously be on Adelaide to win given their surge up the table and the fact they are at home and playing the cellar-dwellers. However, the Mariners will create chances on the counter-attack as Amor’s team enjoys dictating possession. An entertaining match should brew as the match unfolds with goals predicted due to Central Coast netting six goals in its past two matches, while the Reds usually always score at home as well.
Adelaide United 2 Central Coast Mariners 1
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