Sunday's match against Sydney FC, is followed by the FIFA Match Day Break next week. A week later the Reds travel to Skilled Park to face Gold Coast United, two matches set to largely determine whether the Reds will feature come finals time.

After yet another frustrating home result, a 1-1 draw Wellington Phoenix and with eight games left, the Reds must start making inroads now, if they are to figure in the finals, and Vidmar knows that at least four points from the next two games either side of the New Year is a must.

"The next two away games are extremely important for us, so first off we've got to give our undivided attention to trying to beat Sydney this weekend," Vidmar said.

"It is really important that we do well on Sunday, as it will give us an opportunity to keep our finals hopes alive."

But scoring a victory on Sunday is going to be anything but easy, the Reds with a less than attractive record at the Sydney Football Stadium, and up against a Sydney FC side that has won all but two of their home games this season, and buoyed by their midweek defeat of Central Coast Mariners.

Adelaide United have just one win from eight previous A-League matches in Sydney, however this occasion may provide no better time for United to improve the ledger, as Sydney FC have a short turnaround from their clash with the Mariners.

"They (Sydney FC) have got a lot of dangerous players, especially in that front third, if you give them time and space on the ball they can do some damage, but we're really confident our defenders will do a great job on them this weekend," Vidmar said.

History may have the Reds as strong outsiders, but Vidmar can take confidence in the fact that their most impressive performance of the season, arguably came when they last met Sydney FC back in round 11, a Cristiano double leading a 10-man United to a 2-1 win.

"We've got a lot of confidence going into this game. We've had two very good games against them," Vidmar said.

"The first game over there we lost 1-0 but we were unlucky not to get something out of it, and then we were really backs against the wall the last time we played them and got a great win at Hindmarsh, so we're confident going into this game that we can do well."

Both Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar demonstrated that it is possible to storm back into finals contention as they revived their seasons with consecutive wins, and Vidmar can take heart out of the fact that the Reds could suddenly be right back in the mix with two good performances

United will be bolstered with the return of Captain Travis Dodd after a calf strain, but midfielder Paul Reid is still another week away from being considered as he continues to recover from a groin injury.

Vidmar has hinted there could be changes from last week's match against Wellington, the Reds boss certain that whichever line up he chooses to send out against Sydney FC, will have what it takes to come back home with three points.

"We'll put out a team that is going to be extremely competitive and a team that is going to go out there and win the game," Vidmar added.