The match with Melbourne is shaping as a season defining one for United despite it being just four rounds in, the club faces a gruelling schedule of five matches in 16 days.

Significantly during this period, The Reds will face the league’s two pacesetters, Victory and Sydney FC, plus last season’s champions Newcastle Jets to go with the two legs of the AFC Champions League Quarter Final against the Kashima Antlers.

Despite the quota of matches and upcoming ACL Quarter Final, Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar says all of the squad’s attention on defeating Melbourne.

“We’re setting up to win the game. On Saturday morning when we move into Sydney, we’ll see who is available for Wednesday night’s game but right until Saturday we won’t be discussing anything about the ACL, the focus is firmly on this game against Melbourne,” Vidmar said.

The Reds sit equal with the Victory on seven points heading into the match, United looking to extend their unbeaten run of 13 matches as they try to inflict Melbourne’s first loss of the campaign.

Having developed a history of incident-filled and emotion-charged matches, Vidmar believes tomorrow night’s match with the Victory will be no different.

“There has always been a bit of a rivalry and I think it’s a really healthy rivalry,” Vidmar said.

“Tomorrow night is not going to be any different. It’s going to be quite intense, very aggressive and I think both teams will approach it that way.”

Classy United playmaker Diego could make his first appearance of the season on Friday night after overcoming a hamstring injury, while Brazilian counterpart Cassio was not included in the travelling party and will play in a trial match with the Reds Youth squad before meeting up with the senior team in Sydney on Saturday night.

Striker Paul Agostino scored both goals when the Reds drew 2-2 with Melbourne in the teams’ only meeting at the Telstra Dome last season, and without a goal in the opening three rounds, the former Qantas Socceroo will be hoping to continue his rich vein of form.

Victory annihilated Newcastle Jets 5-0 in their last outing at home, and Vidmar knows Melbourne’s attack has the potential to cause plenty of problems.

“Certainly the players in their front third are extremely dangerous and we saw that when they played the Jets. If you give them space and some freedom they can hurt you,” Vidmar said.

A win against Victory would provide the ideal tonic for United as they head into the first leg of the AFC Champions League Quarter Final against Kashima Antlers in Japan on Wednesday 17 September.