The clash will be the Roar's second pre-season match against A-League opposition, but the days of contrasting styles between them and John Kosmina's men could well be over.

After departed coach Ange Postecoglou revolutionised A-League tactics with his short passing 'Roarcelona' outfit that avoids hoofing it long from defence at all costs, United have also hopped on the bandwagon.

The Reds showcased their new style against Melbourne Victory last month and while their inexperience with holding onto the ball in the back third proved costly in a 4-2 loss, Kosmina is persisting with it.

Vidosic, who has been charged with carrying on Postecoglou's possession-based legacy at Brisbane, said he can see improvement already at Adelaide.

"They move forward now, they're trying to play out from the back, they are even applying pressure on opponents in their half," he said.

"So it's not the Adelaide we are used to seeing from last year, or even from the Champions League. This is the Adelaide for the new A-League season. What I've seen so far, they are taking big steps forward."

The Roar have taken a 16-man squad down to South Australia for the match - including attacking trio Thomas Broich, Do Dong-Hyun and Mitch Nichols, who will all play up to one half each as they recover from ankle injuries.

Captain Matt Smith has been given the weekend off to get over a nagging back injury, paving the way for new signing Yuji Takahashi to continue his fast-tracked start to life in the Brisbane system.

"It's a good test for him now, to play against (Sergio) van Dijk or Bruce Djite," Vidosic said about what awaits his new Japanese import, on loan from Kyoto Sanga.

"They don't get much stronger or bigger or meaner than those two. What we have seen so far, he's fitting in really well.

"He's a good defender, he's got good defensive awareness, he's very composed on the ball so he's slotted in perfectly without short passing build-up.

"It's a good test for everyone to see how we will do if one of our two centre-halves is injured.

"(Matty) going to have a swimming pool session and a weekend off, and then hopefully he'll be back injury-free to join us on Monday."