League leaders Adelaide United face a tough test against Gold Coast United at Skilled Park today. The Reds have been irrepressible so far this season with six wins and three draws from their nine game but Gold Coast have been flying under the radar and are looking dangerous in fifth position.
They have a chance to go second if they get a win here but it will not be easy against an Adelaide outfit who can do no wrong.
A big plus for Miron Bleiberg's charges is the fact that both Marcos Flores and Mathew Leckie are out because of injury and international duty respectively which will leave the Reds without that attacking flair in midfield and it seems a good chance for the home side to bridge the gap with today's opponents.
I sense that Adelaide have to have at least one flat game and the omissions indicate that this may be the day when it occurs.
Verdict: Gold Coast 1-0
Gold Coast United v Adelaide UnitedDate: Sunday, 17 October 2010 Venue: Skilled Park, Robina Local kick-off: 4.00pm AEST (4.30pm ACDT; 5.00pm AEDT)| Head-to-Head: All matches (played 3): Gold Coast United wins 1, Adelaide United wins 0 (2 draws) Referee: Chris Beath
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sport 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is ABC Digital (Adelaide). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Gold Coast United squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 5.ROBSON, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 18.James BROWN, 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Chris HAROLD *three to be omitted* In: 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK (promoted), 14.Joel PORTER (return from hamstring injury), 24.John CURTIS (return from suspension), 26.Ben HALLORAN (promoted) Out: 19.Andrew BARISIC (not selected) Unavailable: Daniel Piorkowski (ankle injury - 4 weeks), Matt Osman (knee injury - indefinite)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4.Iain FYFE, 5.Daniel MULLEN, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 12.Paul REID, 13.Travis DODD, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 24.Cameron WATSON, 26.Joe KEENAN, 29.Bradley NORTON, 30.Nick MUNRO (gk) *one to be omitted* In: Fabian BARBIERO (return from injury), Bradley NORTON (promoted from NYL) Out: Marcos FLORES (hamstring - 2 weeks) Unavailable: Mathew LECKIE (international duty), Mark BIRIGHITTI (international duty), Nigel BOOGAARD (ankle - 4 weeks), Lloyd OWUSU (knee - indefinite)
