Head-to-head

Played 18: Sydney FC 9, Adelaide United 7, Draws 2

Previous Meeting
Sydney FC 1, Adelaide United 3, Sydney Football Stadium, September 4, 2010

History
Adelaide handed Sydney an embarrassing heavy home defeat exactly a month ago when a Sergio van Dijk brace set up the win while ex Red Scott Jamieson scored his first ever A-League goal against his former side.

Past five matches:
Sydney FC: DLLDD
Adelaide United: WWWDW

Match Committee
Adelaide United will be without the services of top scorer Matthew Leckie, who is on national team duty with the Young Socceroos for the AFC U19 Championships in China, as is reserve keeper Mark Birighitti. The Reds welcome back Cassio from suspension while Daniel Mullen returns from the Olyroos four nations tournament in Vietnam. Fabian Barbiero could be a chance to make it to the substitute bench while Travis Dodd should have a hit out in the NYL. Nigel Boogaard (ankle) and Lloyd Owusu (knee) are still on the long-term injury list.

Sydney lose play maker Nick Carle who is out for two weeks a toe injury while Kofi Danning, Terry Antonis, Rhys Grant and Dimitri Petratos are all on national team duty with the Young Socceroos.

Danger men
Bruno Cazarine certainly knows how to get on the scoresheet, finding the back of the net three times in his first four games in the A-League. The Brazilian has made a positive impact since his arrival, and although Sydney are yet to record a win, form suggests the star striker will play a big part in the Blues' revival this campaign.

Sergio van Dijk opened his account this season against Sydney with a brace and is joint top scorer in the league, with team-mate Matthew Leckie, after another double last week against Glory. Van Dijk has flourished under the Reds new game-plan and is well supported but will have to shoulder more responsibility in the absence of Young Socceroo, Leckie.

At the end of the day….
The Reds extended their undefeated run to eight games after victory against Perth while the defending champions are yet to record a win. But each week the Reds stay undefeated is a week closer to United's first loss. Form would suggest United should take maximum points, or at least maintain their unbeaten start to the season, but the loss of Leckie is significant with the 19 year-old providing plenty of pace and power up front for United. Sydney though, are surely due to snap their poor start to the campaign and post a win after four draws and four losses but the Sky Blues are also without a host of first choice players.

TEAMS: 
Sydney FC squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 12. Shannon COLE, 13. Antony GOLEC, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 17. Matt JURMAN, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN.
*two to be omitted*

In: Nil.
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 10. Nicky CARLE (toe – 2 weeks), 11. Kofi DANNING (national team duty), 16. Terry ANTONIS (national team duty), 23. Rhyan GRANT (national team duty), Dimitri PETRATOS (national team duty)

Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4.Iain FYFE, 5. Daniel MULLEN, 6. CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 12.Paul REID, 15.Francesco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 24.Cameron WATSON, 26.Joe KEENAN, 30. Nick MUNRO
* one to be omitted*

In: Cassio (returns from suspension), Daniel MULLEN (returns from International duty); Francesco MONTEROSSO (promoted) Nick MUNRO (gk) (promoted from NYL)
Out: Mathew LECKIE (International duty), Mark BIRIGHITTI (International duty)
Unavailable: Mathew LECKIE (international duty), Mark BIRIGHITTI (international duty), Nigel BOOGAARD (ankle – 6 weeks), Lloyd OWUSU (knee – indefinite)