Round 4 of the A-League sees third take on second as Adelaide United host Perth Glory on Sunday.
Coming off their impressive FFA Cup win last week and a 3-0 thrashing of Central Coast on Sunday, Adelaide will be hoping to leapfrog their Western opposition.
Glory have been in fine form themselves, with two wins and a draw from their opening three games, but Coopers Stadium hasn’t been kind to them in the past.
United have only lost a single game out of their last nine encounters with Glory at home and will be counting on their home advantage to help get the job done again.
Adelaide will also be banking on Craig Goodwin to continue his phenomenal performances.
The left-winger has scored five goals in United’s last three matches and has two assists in the A-League as well.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Goodwin being named in the train-on squad for the Socceroos on Thursday, for their upcoming game against South Korea.
Glory will have taken notice too but will have to do their best to contain the firing United attacker without suspended first-choice back, Tomislav Mrcela.
Mrcela saw a straight red for bringing down Adam Taggart in the box in last week’s game against Brisbane, and will likely be replaced by Scott Neville.
Matthew Spiranovic also returns to the squad and may be called into the run-on team to sure up Glory’s defence.
The former Wanderer, reunited with Coach Tony Popovic at Glory in the off-season, but missed the opening rounds as he recovers from hip surgery.
Regardless of the changes at the back, Glory will be looking to Anthony Keogh up front to counter United’s attacking potency.
Keogh has made another impressive start to his campaign this season, scoring a goal in each of the opening three rounds, as well as forcing an own goal last week.
As it’s the A-League’s Remembrance Round this week, the emotion is sure to be heightened on the pitch, adding to the contest.
Both Spiranovic and Goodwin spoke of the importance of the round.
“It’s a beautiful thing to pay your respect and remembrance to those that fought for our country and died for our country,” Spiranovic said.
Goodwin revealed the significance of the round to his family in particular, with both his brother and father having served in the military.
“It’s obviously something I know they’ll be taking seriously and myself as well,” Goodwin said.
Despite being behind on the ladder, Adelaide are favoured by the bookmakers to get the win on Sunday, but with the season still in the opening rounds and both teams undefeated, this one could go either way.
Key stats:
Perth have scored in each of their last 15 A-League Games.
Adelaide have only lost a single game to Perth in their last nine home games.
Adelaide $2.05 V Perth $3.50
By Brandon Clark
*Odds are supplied by neds and are subject to change.
