The Reds enter the match having lost a record 10 consecutive fixtures against Melbourne and not having recorded a win since October 12 2007 where they smashed the Victory 4-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Coolen admitted he is hoping for a 'nice' game of football after their last hit out against the Victory was marred by a crude challenge by Surat Sukha on United young gun Mathew Leckie which sidelined the Young Socceroo for four months.

The Dutchman conceded although Victory weren't at their best in the 2-0 loss to Wellington he is confident Melbourne will again prove to be a formidable opponent when arguably the Hyundai A-League's biggest rivalry resumes on Sunday afternoon.

"I'm looking forward to a nice football game, I hope, and of course as I say always let the best team win," he said.

"They have a real good squad and a real good team. They didn't play well the last game, but it is a special game I think, Melbourne Victory against Adelaide United so I think the boys will be ready. To finally beat them will be a nice feeling."

Reds stopper Nigel Boogaard has been ruled out with a groin injury but Coolen admitted concerns over Marcos Flores and Cassio have been put to rest with the pair expected to take their place in the starting XI.

United's Dutch signing, flamboyant winger Andy Slory won't make the trip to Melbourne after a thigh problem restricted his training during the week.

Coolen admitted with the winger being such an explosive player the risk may be too great to have employed the speedster off the bench with the Reds boss preferring to rest Slory until the fixture against North Queensland Fury after United's weekend break.

"Everything looks okay and if everybody pulls up well tomorrow then there's no problem," he said.

"We built up Slory for the game tomorrow and there was a little chance that he could join us for the game tomorrow and come in during the game. But knowing the he is so explosive, it could be a little too much risk and we won't do that.

"Knowing that we have a week off next week, it will give us two weeks to prepare for the next game and I think that's a better choice at the moment."

Coolen did hint though that the Reds' midfield enforcer, Francisco Usucar is likely to start in his debut.

"I can't say 100 percent but he will be a part of the squad for 15 players tomorrow and more than likely he will start," he said.

"Tomorrow we will talk about the players and how they're going to play. There's not so many changes, there could be one or two, I'm not sure about that, it will depend on how fit everyone is."