To see Melbourne training...

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Analysis:
Adelaide, coming off their best win of the season against Sydney last week, will be attempting to end the Hyundai A-League's most famous hoodoo when they travel to Melbourne this week. Seven times in succession, Melbourne have defeated Adelaide, including last year's Grand Final, and the Reds will be desperate to record their first win over their bitter rivals in over two years.

Statistics can prove to be more of a nuisance than a concern for coaches, but Aurelio Vidmar knows that statistic is a reflection of the reality of the hold Melbourne have over his side. That includes six straight defeats in the one season and a 2-0 loss in Adelaide earlier this season. In fact in the past 14 clashes between these two teams, Adelaide has won just one.

Last week, the Reds proved they are one of the best 'backs-to-the-wall' sides in the competition with a tough win over the Sky Blues. With Fabian Barbiero sent off inside the first ten minutes, things looked grim, but a combination of determined defence and some great attacking play from Matthew Leckie and Cristiano saw the Reds prevail 2-1.

Significantly, it moved Adelaide back up the table and in the fray for the top four. On 15 points, the Reds are only five off top spot and three clear of seventh-placed Brisbane. But the win also sent a message to the rest of the competition that one of the Hyundai A-League's most consistent sides is not just going to fade away.

Barbiero sits this game out, but skipper Travis Dodd's return, along with Lucas Pantelis, is a huge boost for the attacking midfield stocks. Inseob Shin and Daniel Mullen have also been included in an extended squad. The question for Vidmar is whether he sticks with two upfront, which proved so successful last week, or opts to revert to one up front to fit Pantelis and Dodd back into the structure.

Melbourne proved their 3-0 loss to Sydney was a blip with an impressive 3-1 success over Newcastle last Sunday. While there were times in the game where the defending champions looked under pressure, they responded brilliantly after going down to an early goal, with Carlos Hernandez inspirational.

Hernandez is now the most important attacking player in the team, taking over from the mantle held by Archie Thompson for the first four seasons. While Thompson's contribution is still important, when Hernandez performs well, Melbourne win. When he doesn't, they struggle. Hernandez set up two and scored the other one last week.

Melbourne are two points off top spot having won four of their past five and are arguably the form team of the competition. But they go into this game without defender Rody Vargas and midfielder Tom Pondeljak. Vargas, who hasn't missed a game through injury in his time at the club and has played every minute of the past 44 matches, will miss the next two with a thigh injury, while Pondeljak's tough run with injuries continues and he will miss the next six with a calf tear.

Thai international striker Sutee Suksomkit, in Melbourne on a guest stint, comes into the squad along with Matthew Foschini. Suksomkit is likely to see some action, but given the performance of Mate Dugandzic in the second half last week, the youngster could receive his first start.

While history is only so useful in predicting the outcomes of games, Melbourne's recent record over Adelaide looks impossible to ignore. The Reds face a massive challenge taking on the in-form champions in front of their home crowd.

Head-to-head
Played 19: Wins: Melbourne Victory 11, Adelaide Reds 5. Draws: 3

Previous meeting
Adelaide United 0, Melbourne Victory 2, Round 7, February 2009

Last five matches:
Melbourne Victory:
Round 7: Adelaide United 0, Melbourne Victory 2, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 8: Gold Coast United 2, Melbourne Victory 3, Skilled Park
Round 9: Melbourne Victory 2, Brisbane Roar 1, Etihad Stadium
Round 10: Melbourne Victory 0, Sydney FC 3, Etihad Stadium
Round 11: Newcastle Jets 1, Melbourne Victory 3, EnergyAustralia Stadium

Adelaide United:
Round 7: Adelaide United 0, Melbourne Victory 2, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 8: North Queensland 0, Adelaide United 2, Dairy Farmers Stadium
Round 9: Adelaide United 1, Newcastle Jets 1, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 10: Perth Glory 1, Adelaide United 0, ME Bank Stadium
Round 11: Adelaide United 2, Sydney FC 1, Hindmarsh Stadium

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3.Mate DUGANDZIC, 5.Surat SUKHA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO, 13.Nathan ELASI, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 23.Adrian LEIJER, 27.Sutee SUKSOMKIT

In: Matthew FOSCHINI (promoted), Sutee SUKSOMKIT (promoted)

Out: Tom PONDELJAK (calf - 4-6 weeks), Rodrigo VARGAS (thigh - 2 weeks)

Unavailable: Marvin ANGULO (pending registration), Evan BERGER (thigh - 1 week), Billy CELESKI (knee - season), Robbie KRUSE (hamstring - 2 weeks), Steven PACE (calf - 1 weeks), Nick WARD (infection - 2 weeks)

Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Iain FYFE, 5.Daniel MULLEN, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 8.Kristian SARKIES, 9.CRISTIANO, 10.Adam HUGHES, 11.Lloyd OWUSU, 13. Travis DODD (Capt), 12. Paul REID, 14.Scott JAMIESON, 16.Inseob SHIN, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 21.Mark RUDAN
*three to be omitted*

In: Travis DODD (returns from injury), Daniel MULLEN (promoted), Inseob SHIN (promoted), Lucas PANTELIS (promoted)

Out: Fabian Barbiero (suspended - 1 week)

Unavailable: Joe COSTA (knee - long term injury list)

To see Melbourne training...