Adelaide United v Gold Coast United
Hindmarsh Stadium
Friday 20th November 2009

Adelaide United head into Friday night’s home clash with Gold Coast United aiming to end a run of three outings without a win in what will be their 150th game since the inception of the A-League. Rumours abound that a takeover bid is in the offing for the South Australian club, but Aurelio Vidmar has been focusing very much upon on-field matters and has received some welcome injury news ahead of the showdown with the third-placed Queenslanders.

Key midfielder Paul Reid has finally recovered from the calf and thigh problems that have ruled him out of the last eight games, exciting youngster Matthew Leckie has overcome his hamstring injury and Brazilian defender Cassio has also returned to full fitness. Mark Rudan and Kristian Sarkies have been strongly linked with moves away from Hindmarsh Stadium, to Central Coast and new franchise Melbourne Heart respectively, but both are still set to start on Friday night.

Gold Coast, meanwhile, will travel south in reasonably confident mood following their victory over title rivals Sydney FC last time out. That game also marked the return to goalscoring ways of leading marksman Shane Smeltz who will be full of confidence after helping steer New Zealand to World Cup qualification last weekend. Coach Miron Bleiberg will, however, be without the services of Steve Pantelidis who is suspended, with Matt Osman expected to replace the uncompromising defender. Tahj Minniecon is pressing for more game-time after bagging a brace for the Youth Team last weekend, while key man Jason Culina came through the Socceroos’ trip to Oman unscathed.

With strikers Cristiano and Lloyd Owusu having netted just three goals between them this term, it’s not hard to see where Adelaide’s problems lie. They should create chances against a Gold Coast side that is far more comfortable going forward than they are at the back, but question marks remain as to whether they have the attacking quality needed to take them. The visitors showed plenty of resolve in their Round 14 victory over Sydney FC and should be able to build on that win by picking up another three points at the expense of the misfiring Reds.

Prediction: Adelaide United 0-2 Gold Coast United