Eddie VukovicA-League Round 4 Preview - Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United
As I gaze out through my office window and soak up the view of Ye Olde Melbourne town, bathed in sunshine for once, I realise that spring is finally here and so is round 4 of the Hyundai A-League. So I figure it's time to forgo my work and do a little preview of this week's festival of football.
Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United
Friday 12 September at the Telstra Dome
Both the Victory and the Reds are undefeated and sit first and second on the ladder and are playing some sparkling football. Melbourne's off season recruits have made an immediate impact, with Ney Fabiano and Danny Allsopp linking well up front and Jose Luis Lopez playing the midfield general role. The Victory have scored 9 goals in the last 2 matches, with a 5-0 thrashing of last seasons champions Newcastle Jets.
Adelaide hasn't been quite as potent up front as Melbourne, but last week notched up a 3-0 win over Wellington, with Cristiano bagging two. New signing Cristiano has been in good form, with 3 goals from as many games, and has added a new dimension to Adelaide's attacking threat, particularly with young guns, Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite leaving for pastures new. And let's face it, Paul Agostino still isn't much cop.
While the media and Sydney FC themselves seem to believe that Melbourne vs Sydney is the A-League's fiercest rivalry, this is the game that really gets pulses racing. In the A-League's brief 3 year history, no match has provided as much controversy, commitment, passion and drama than when these two teams lock horns.
Even with John "Gordon Shumway" Kosmina gone,
the Victory Fans look forward to this match more than any other. Probably because they want a repeat of the 6-0 mauling handed to Adelaide by Archie and co.
Melbourne will be without new recruits Michael Thwaite (injured) and Jose Luis Lopez (international duty), but have recalled Stephen Pace, Leigh Broxham and Sebastian Ryall to the squad. Archie Thompson is likely to start after his commanding performance coming on for Thwaite in Melbourne's last match and Grant Brebner, who scored a goal with his first touch in that match, will likely retain his place on the bench.
Adelaide's influential playmaker Diego has recovered from injury and is back in the squad, along with 19 year old defender, Daniel Mullen. The AIS graduate and son of former socceroo and Adelaide United Youth Team Coach Joe Mullen, is poised to make his A-League debut in place of Alemao who is out with a groin strain.
At home, Melbourne will be looking to unleash it's attacking triumvirate of Ney Fabiano, Thompson and Allsopp, with the in-form Carlos Hernandez pulling the strings from midfield. Adelaide however won't come to the Telstra Dome with any fears. Aurelio Vidmar's team is in good form, with the experienced duo of Sash Ognenovski and Angelo Costanzo at the heart of a miserly defence, and Brazilian Cristiano looking hungry and sharp. Reds captain Travis Dodd has also made scoring against Melbourne a hobby and seems to relish coming to Melbourne.
I'm predicting a 2-1 win to Melbourne with patches of fluid attacking football from both sides, interspersed with some heated midfield battles and a healthy dose of cards.
Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United
Friday 12 September at the Telstra Dome
Both the Victory and the Reds are undefeated and sit first and second on the ladder and are playing some sparkling football. Melbourne's off season recruits have made an immediate impact, with Ney Fabiano and Danny Allsopp linking well up front and Jose Luis Lopez playing the midfield general role. The Victory have scored 9 goals in the last 2 matches, with a 5-0 thrashing of last seasons champions Newcastle Jets.
Adelaide hasn't been quite as potent up front as Melbourne, but last week notched up a 3-0 win over Wellington, with Cristiano bagging two. New signing Cristiano has been in good form, with 3 goals from as many games, and has added a new dimension to Adelaide's attacking threat, particularly with young guns, Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite leaving for pastures new. And let's face it, Paul Agostino still isn't much cop.
While the media and Sydney FC themselves seem to believe that Melbourne vs Sydney is the A-League's fiercest rivalry, this is the game that really gets pulses racing. In the A-League's brief 3 year history, no match has provided as much controversy, commitment, passion and drama than when these two teams lock horns.
Even with John "Gordon Shumway" Kosmina gone,
Melbourne will be without new recruits Michael Thwaite (injured) and Jose Luis Lopez (international duty), but have recalled Stephen Pace, Leigh Broxham and Sebastian Ryall to the squad. Archie Thompson is likely to start after his commanding performance coming on for Thwaite in Melbourne's last match and Grant Brebner, who scored a goal with his first touch in that match, will likely retain his place on the bench.
Adelaide's influential playmaker Diego has recovered from injury and is back in the squad, along with 19 year old defender, Daniel Mullen. The AIS graduate and son of former socceroo and Adelaide United Youth Team Coach Joe Mullen, is poised to make his A-League debut in place of Alemao who is out with a groin strain.
At home, Melbourne will be looking to unleash it's attacking triumvirate of Ney Fabiano, Thompson and Allsopp, with the in-form Carlos Hernandez pulling the strings from midfield. Adelaide however won't come to the Telstra Dome with any fears. Aurelio Vidmar's team is in good form, with the experienced duo of Sash Ognenovski and Angelo Costanzo at the heart of a miserly defence, and Brazilian Cristiano looking hungry and sharp. Reds captain Travis Dodd has also made scoring against Melbourne a hobby and seems to relish coming to Melbourne.
I'm predicting a 2-1 win to Melbourne with patches of fluid attacking football from both sides, interspersed with some heated midfield battles and a healthy dose of cards.
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