Head-to-head

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Previous Meeting
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History
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Season So Far
Adelaide United: DD

Melbourne Heart: LD

Match Committee
Adelaide's injury woes got a whole lot worse last week with central defender Nigel Boogaard seriously injuring his ankle at training. He is now expected to be sidelined for three months while fellow stopper Robert Cornthwaite is still on the comeback trail from a groin injury and could be rushed back to fill the void in a couple of weeks. Striker Sergio van Dijk is in doubt after a knock to the calf at training and will be given until the last possible minute to prove his fitness. Captain, Travis Dodd should return in six weeks after groin surgery in the off season while Fabian Barbiero's ankle sees him miss at least another three weeks. Lloyd Owusu is recovering from a knee operation and his return is listed as indefinite. Adam Hughes played at right back against the Mariners for Daniel Mullen, who was moved into the centre of defence to cover for the loss of Boogaard/Cornthwaite, but will miss the game against the Heart through suspension after receiving two yellows last round.

Two of the Heart's biggest names are looking at lengthy lay offs with Josip Skoko suffering a hamstring injury against the Jets which is set to put him out for at least a month. Joining the marquee signing is former Sydney FC striker, John Aloisi who is three weeks away from making his Heart debut after a hamstring injury in the off season. Kristian Sarkies is still on the mend after breaking his leg last season with Adelaide United's Youth League squad.

Danger men
Acting captain Lucas Pantelis was outstanding for the Reds in the first half against the Mariners. The diminutive midfielder created plenty for United in the front third and even managed four shots on goal himself. Twice he forced Central Coast 'keeper Jess Vanstratten to make crucial saves and on more than one occasion needed his teammates to be alert inside the box after some great deliveries into the area were wasted. Eugene Galekovic also saved the day for the Reds pulling off a fistful of crucial saves and proving he is still the league's No.1 shot stopper, one that has benefited greatly from his South African Socceroo experience at the World Cup.

For Melbourne, Michael Marrone will be looking forward to his return to Hindmarsh Stadium and to taking on his old teammates on Friday night. The speedy full back spent a fair bit of time in the midfield for the Reds last season and no doubt they'll miss having him after injury has decimated the defence and left an opening in Marrone's favourite position, right-back. Captain Simon Colosimo will also have to take on even more of a leadership role after Skoko's injury has him ruled out for up to a month. Colisimo, who won a championship with Sydney FC last season, can play in defence or move into the centre of the park and pull the strings for Heart in the absence of their marquee signing if need be.

At the end of the day….
Both teams are still without a win and look somewhat impotent in front of goal. If van Dijk doesn't get up, the Reds won't have a recognised striker in their squad for the match. United and Heart have only scored once in their opening two matches, the Heart's being the most amazing of own goals, while the likes of the Glory and Fury have already netted five times. Both sides have some of their best players out and will be fielding far from their strongest line-ups. It will also be the first battle of the A-League's Dutchmen as new Reds' boss Rini Coolen looks to use the home ground advantage to take the points ahead of countryman John van't Schip.

TEAMS: 
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 4.Iain FYFE, 5.Daniel MULLEN, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c), 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 12.Paul REID, 15.Francsco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 24.Cameron WATSON
*one to be included*

In: Nil
Out: Adam HUGHES (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Nigel BOOGAARD (ankle – 11 weeks), Robert CORNTHWAITE (groin – 1 week), Travis DODD (groin – 6 weeks), Lloyd OWUSU (knee – indefinite), Fabian BARBIERO (ankle – 3 weeks), Joe COSTA (knee – 1 week)

Melbourne Heart squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 3. Brendan HAMILL, 4. Simon COLOSIMO (c), 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matthew THOMPSON, 7. Rutger WORM, 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. ALEX TERRA, 12. Peter ZOIS (gk) 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 19. Eli BABALJ, 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Dean HEFFERNAN, 24. Aziz BEHICH
*one to be omitted*

In: 17. Jason HOFFMAN (promoted), 24. Aziz BEHICH (promoted)
Out: 20. Josip SKOKO (Hamstring – 4-6 weeks)
Unavailable: John ALOISI (Hamstring – 2 weeks), Kristian SARKIES (Leg – Indefinite), Josip SKOKO (Hamstring – 4-6 weeks)