From the time Cassio joined Adelaide United in June 2007, the 30 year old has only been in a winning side against Melbourne Victory once, that occasion coming back in October 2007.

The Brazilian is just one of four current Reds who played in that win, and he believes the United squad of today will need to have the same 'spirit' that the team on that night.

"It was very good," Cassio recalls of the game in which captain Travis Dodd scored a double.

"I remember we won 4-1, we played a pretty good game, and after that it has been nothing. I think we should get that spirit back of when we won that game to win this game."

Cassio's recent memories of Etihad Stadium are not the best either. He was sent off in the second leg of the Major Semi Final loss to Victory at the venue, before coming on as a second half substitute in the Grand Final a fortnight later on to experience another defeat.

The Reds' club champion of 2007/08 knows the fans have endured a wretched time against Victory and he says this squad is ready to start righting the wrongs.

"It means a lot," Cassio said. "I think we have to put everything we've got here out on Friday to win this game.

"We have to do more for them because it is more than three years without a win against them. It's a lot and we can't accept that.

"Of course it is going to be a hard game, we know that, but we have to give everything we've got to win this game."

Whatever eventuates, it is set to be an intriguing contest between a Reds side whose confidence continues to rise with every undefeated result, and a Melbourne side who, despite going down to Brisbane Roar last weekend, know they have the wood over United.

Cassio could not put a finger on why Melbourne have had such a remarkable run of results over Adelaide, but he knows what the Reds will need to do to start swinging it back in their favour.

 "I don't know. I think when they (Melbourne) play against us now, they're pretty confident because they have won nine games in a row...but we have to turn that around," Cassio added.

"We have to put pressure on them from the first whistle, and try to win all fifty-fifty duels and show them that we want to win this game.

"It doesn't matter if we play away. We're going there to win, we don't want a draw and that is what all of the players have got on their minds."