Adelaide United play host to Wellington Phoenix on Boxing Day desperate to extend their undefeated streak to four matches if their aspirations of a finals finish are to come to fruition.
Adelaide have ostensibly turned a new leaf the previous three weeks and are slowly but surely returning to form somewhat more appropriate of a team many punters had tipped to be in finals contention. The Reds may have done just enough to seal the three points on offer in Newcastle, but a combination of misfortune and incoherency in the attacking third meant it ended 0-0. Guillermo Amor can take some positives from the game despite the draw. The fact his side kept a clean sheet and extended its unbeaten run to three matches is an auspicious indication things are beginning to change for the Reds and Amor following a disastrous start to the season.
Meanwhile, Wellington will be hoping to maintain their status in the top six after salvaging a point, courtesy of a stoppage time penalty against Sydney FC last time out. Since an impressive 2-0 win of Melbourne Victory three weeks ago, albeit in controversial circumstances, Ernie Merrick’s men have failed to recapture that blistering form. The New Zealanders, who are currently sixth on the league table, are winless in two games and more alarmingly have managed just one win in the last five matches.
Key Battle – Marcelo Carrusca vs Roy Krishna
The sumptuous skills of Carrusca pitted against the poise of Krishna potentially makes for fascinating viewing, not least because both are in exceptional form. Not too many in the A-League are synonymous with illustrating sheer proficiency on the ball like the ex-Estudiantes man. It should come as no coincidence that Adelaide’s improvement has coincided with the Argentine also returning to his best after beginning the year poorly – since a three game stint on the bench around a month ago.
As for Krishna the Fijian international has been one of the revelations of the league since its inception in 2005. At 28, he is the epitome of perseverance after joining the club in January 2014 as an injury replacement from the New Zealand domestic league. This season alone, Krishna has netted six times and heads into the clash on a three-match scoring streak. His ability to bring others into play is highlighted by his three assists to boot and is one of the most clinical forwards in the competition.
Team News
Amor could finally welcome on-loan striker Eli Babalj following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Osama Malik could also feature in some capacity, but may find it hard to be in the starting XI given the resilient partnership of Jordan Elsey and Dylan McGowan. Iacopo La Rocca is also a chance of returning, while Bruce Kamau remains the long-term absentee with a hamstring problem and is expected to be fit in another month.
Merrick will be without the suspended Tom Doyle due to the accumulation of five yellow cards and talisman Ben Sigmund, who is battling a hip complaint. However, Justin Gulley could return for the Nix if he can prove his fitness after sustaining a muscle injury.
Head-to-Head
Adelaide edge the Nix in this fixture, triumphing on 12 occasions compared to Wellington’s eight and leaving six stalemates. It is worth noting, however, the visitors have won the past three matches against the Reds and won their most recent match at Coopers Stadium on New Year’s Eve last season 3-1.
Previous Meeting
Both sides previously met in round six where a woeful United outfit were ruthlessly punished 4-2 by the Phoenix at Westpac Stadium, courtesy of a Roly Bonevacia master class.
Prediction
Signs of improvement are becoming increasingly palpable for Adelaide as Amor continues to instil his tweaked philosophy on his players. Had Carrusca not been denied by the woodwork twice from free kicks than perhaps the Reds would have won for a third time in as many matches. Nevertheless, given Adelaide are at home they will likely dominate proceedings from a possession-based perspective. However, the Phoenix will cause a few headaches on the break as they are one of the supreme counter-attacking sides, boasting names like Krishna and Bonevacia.
Adelaide United 1 Wellington Phoenix 1
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