Few will expect it but Adelaide United will be hoping to spring another A-League upset on Friday night against their heirs apparent Sydney FC.
SQUADS
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4.Alex WILKINSON, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 9.BOBÔ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Bernie IBINI, 12.Aaron CALVER, 13.Brandon O'NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 17.David CARNEY, 18.Matt SIMON, 19.George BLACKWOOD, 20.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 21.Filip HOLOSKO, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 25.Patrick FLOTTMANN
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Josh BRILLANTE (return from suspension), 19.George BLACKWOOD (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 5.Jordy BUIJS (awaiting International Clearance), 22.Sebastian RYALL (hamstring – indefinite)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) (c), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Taylor REGAN, 7.HENRIQUE, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Sergi GUARDIOLA, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Sergio CIRIO, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 14.George MELLS, 18.Riley McGREE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.John HALL (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Ryan KITTO, 24.Jordan O’DOHERTY
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Iacopo LA ROCCA (returns from injury), 14.George MELLS (returns from injury), 18.Riley McGREE (returns from injury), 21.Tarek ELRICH (returns from suspension)
Outs: 16.Jesse MAKAROUNAS (not selected), 25.James HOLLAND
Unavailable: 17.Nikola MILEUSNIC (quad – 1 week), 23.Jordan ELSEY (knee – season)
BLUFFER'S GUIDE
Before last round, a summer of discontent was building around Adelaide United with some fans voicing their displeasure at the way the Reds' title defence was playing out.
But 90 minutes later –following a hard-earned 2-1 win over Melbourne City – and all of a sudden there was a sense of optimism in the City of Churches.
Guillermo Amor's Adelaide played with passion and scrapped for everything against City, and the Red Army loved every bit of it.
Seasons can often be defined by those types of backs-to-the-wall wins and while there is a long way to go before Adelaide can be considered finals contenders, we'll know a lot more about their chances and if they have built genuine momentum after a clash with the unbeaten A-League leaders.
The Sky Blues were disappointed in their performance in the Sydney derby stalemate last weekend but remain on course to earn the 'Invincibles' moniker they crave.
The home side get Josh Brillante back from suspension but the match will be too early for new Dutch defender Jordy Buijs, who is awaiting his international clearance.
James Holland's transfer to Chinese Super League club Liaoning Whowin means there is a spot open in Adelaide's midfield, with either George Mells or Marcelo Carrusca likely to come into the starting XI.
ROUTE TO GOAL
Adelaide have had contrasting fortunes against Sydney so far this season.
While the Reds shut the Sky Blues out completely in their previous clash at Allianz Stadium, they shipped four when the sides met at Coopers Stadium on Boxing Day.
It was on transition where Sydney had joy in that clash with the pressing of Graham Arnold's team causing Adelaide plenty of problems.
Amor changed things up against City, opting for the more mobile and pacy Sergio Cirio up front in place of Sergi Guardiola, ensuring Adelaide regularly threatened in behind.
It will be interesting to see what the Reds' boss does with Marcelo Carrusca after the Argentine playmaker was left on the bench against City.
WHO'S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Mark Ochieng. The 20-year-old shot himself into the spotlight with a superb winner off the bench against Melbourne City last time out to keep Adelaide's season alive.
FORM LINES
Sydney FC: WWWWD
Adelaide United: LLDLW
PREDICTION
Sydney FC 3-1 Adelaide United
