It may be classified as just being the last round of the season, but with the National Youth League only having a one off Grand Final between the top two teams at the end of the Minor Round, tonight's match is as much a Preliminary Final for The Reds.

Needing a draw or better to remain in second place ahead of the Roar, United's Youth are preparing for the most crucial game of their season so far, as they sit in the box seat to secure a spot in the Grand Final after an impressive string of wins in the run home.

Creating even more of a finals type atmosphere for United's young brigade tomorrow night, the game will be played as a curtain raiser to the Hyundai A-League Minor Semi Final 2nd leg between the Queensland Roar and Central Coast Mariners.

Reds Youth Coach Joe Mullen is eager to see how his charges fair in the spotlight of a finals type situation, but Mullen is confident they can handle the big game pressure.

"It's new to us so I don't know how they will react, but I don't think they will have any problems," Mullen said.

"It's the first time the players are presented with it feeling like a finals game, and it will be another test of their development as a footballer to see how they handle it."

Mullen has reason to feel positive that United can get the point they need against the Roar, as United Youth's last loss came back on Boxing Day 2008 in Perth.

But even though they only need a draw to face Sydney FC in the season decider, Mullen says there will be no thought about going out there with the mentality of playing for just a point.

"We won't be thinking that at all," Mullen said.

"We talked about that early in the week and we will go out there as per normal and our attitude to the game will be the same as it has been for the past six or seven weeks."

As has been the case all season, Mullen will only know prior to the team's departure to Brisbane, which over age players he will have at his disposal.

Lucas Andreucci is set to start in goals as Mark Birighitti remains with the Hyundai A-League squad for the Semi Final in Melbourne, while the absence of defender Michael Doyle through suspension is the only other change to the Youth squad for the showdown with Queensland.

In the teams' two previous encounters, The Reds took the points in a 1-0 result at Suncorp Stadium back in Round 4 before they played out a 1-1 draw at Hindmarsh in Round 13. Mullen says both matches were toughly fought affairs, and he believes it will be imperative for United to keep a potent Queensland attacking force in check.

"I thought the game when we played them here in Adelaide we deserved more out of it but it probably evens itself out because up there they probably deserved more," Mullen said.

"I think we just need to be disciplined defensively and if we do that I think we've got enough quality offensively to do the job. Queensland have been a very good team going forward and we know we've got a very tough challenge in front of us tomorrow night, but hopefully the best team will win on the night and it will be us."

Kick-Off from Suncorp Stadium is at 5.10pm (ACDT). The National Youth League Grand Final will be played as a curtain raiser to the Hyundai A-League Preliminary Final on Saturday 21 February.

National Youth League 2008/09 Season - Round 21
QUEENSLAND ROAR v ADELAIDE UNITED
Friday 13 February 2009
Spencer Park, Newbery Street, Brisbane
Kick off 4.10pm local time (5.10pm AEDT)
Referee: Chris Beath

Queensland Roar squad: Matt ACTON (gk), Tyler THURTELL, Mitch BEVAN, Michael RYAN, Daniel BOWLES, William TUMUSIIME, Matt MUNDY, Robbie KRUSE, Adam SAROTA, Luke BRATTAN, Chris GROSSMAN, Tim SMITS, Josh McVEY, Brad McDONALD, Michael ANGUS.
*one to be omitted.

Unavailable: Luke Muir (injured).

Adelaide United: Joel ALLWRIGHT, Lucas ANDREUCCI (gk), Angelo ARAMBATSIS, Andrew CIARLA, Joseph COSTA, Michael DE BONO, Codey LARKIN (gk), Osama MALIK, Michael MARRONE, Francesco MONTEROSSO, Matthew MULLEN, Alexander SUNASKY, Shane TOBIAS, Scott WEIDENBACH.
*Overage Players to be added.

Unavailable: Michael DOYLE (suspended).