Fifth take on second in a tantalizing encounter to kick off Week 15 of the 2010/11 A-League season.
Melbourne Heart have continually improved in their first season and were close to pulling off a confidence-boosting win over league leaders Brisbane Roar last Sunday but were overrun late in the piece to eventually lose 2-1.
Their first half performance showed that they are indeed a very capable team that take up it to, and get the better of, the top sides in the competition.
Tonight they take on one of those top sides in Adelaide United who despite a poor recent run, still sit nicely in second position.
The Reds have lost three of their past four which has taken some of the gloss off their great start to the campaign but you don't lose your ability overnight and expect them to come out firing at AAMI Park.
Skipper Travis Dodd comes into the starting line-up for the first time this season after producing some nice cameos off the bench following a long lay-off with injury and is sure to spark his side who have been slow off the mark in their last three outings.
This one could go either way as both sides are talented enough to kick a winning score but for the third time this week, I will remain on the fence and predict that both the Heart and the Reds will record a point.
Verdict: 1-1 draw
Melbourne Heart vs. Adelaide UnitedDate: Friday, 19 November 2010 Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne Local kick-off: 8:00pm Referee: Chris Beath Head-to-Head: All matches (played 1): Melbourne Heart wins 0, Adelaide United wins 1 (0 draws) Match fact: If Adelaide United lose, it will equal a club record of 4 consecutive losses away from home.
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sport 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne), SEN Digital and ABC digital (Adelaide). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Melbourne Heart squad: 1. Clint BOLTON, 2. Michael MARRONE, 4. Simon COLOSIMO, 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matt THOMPSON, 7. Rutger WORM, 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. Alex TERRA, 12. Peter ZOIS, 15. John ALOISI, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 19. Eli BABALJ, 20. Josip SKOKO, 21. Kliment TASESKI, 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Dean HEFFERNAN, 24. Adrian ZAHRA *Four to be omitted* In: Jason HOFFMAN (promoted), Kliment TASESKI (promoted), Dean HEFFERNAN (promoted) Out: Nil Unavailable: Brendan HAMILL (two weeks - ankle), Kristian SARKIES (three weeks - broken leg)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4.Iain FYFE, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 13.Travis DODD, 16. Inseob SHIN, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 24.Cameron WATSON, 26.Joe KEENAN *one to be omitted* In: Inseob SHIN (promoted) Out: Paul REID (suspended - 1 match) Unavailable: Daniel MULLEN (ankle - 1 week), Nigel BOOGAARD (ankle - 2 weeks), Mathew LECKIE (knee - 9 weeks), Joe COSTA (knee - season)
