Adelaide United return to action after more than a fortnight when it travels to face Perth Glory at HBF Park on Wednesday night.
The Reds are unbeaten to start the A-League 2020/21 season after collecting four points from the opening two rounds which included an impressive 2-0 win over Melbourne City last time out.
READ MORE:
Carl Veart has made an invincible start to his coaching career with Adelaide as United have not lost in their past seven games dating back to last season; only Rini Coolen has a longer undefeated streak with 11.
As for Perth, they finally get to kick off their domestic campaign. It will be Richard Garcia’s first A-League match in the dugout after overseeing his side’s AFC Champions League campaign which ended in early December.
With another league game on Saturday, an Original Rivalry clash against Melbourne Victory no less, Carl Veart admitted some players who are not 100% fit will not be risked in Perth.
Veart on playing tomorrow night…
It feels a long time ago that we played our last game against Melbourne City. So we’re really looking forward to getting back to playing again.
Veart on keeping the players motivated…
It’s been strange, it’s almost like we’ve gone back into a pre-season mode. So it has been difficult to keep that interest up but at training this morning you could see the sharpness back there.
Veart on managing the squad the past two weeks…
Last week was a tough week and this week we’ve eased them back in. We just don’t have the game tomorrow night, we’ve got the home game on Saturday against Melbourne Victory, so this week has been a very light training week.
Team news
Yared Abetew, Jonny Yull and Joe Gauci have all been promoted with the latter two called up for the first time this season. If Yull makes his debut he will be the third youngest player in the Club’s history to appear for the Reds. However, Javi López, Al Hassan Toure and Ryan Strain are unavailable with Saturday night’s game against the Victory in mind.
Head-to-head
Played: 45
Wins: 19
Draws: 11
Losses: 15
Last five meetings
5-3 win (H)
3-0 loss (A)
3-3 draw (aet) (A)
0-2 loss (H)
0-0 draw (A)
Ones to watch
Tomi Juric will again be one to keep an eye on for the Reds after opening his account with a fabulous finish against City. The 29-year-old will be determined to use that as a platform to add to his tally with regularity now that he is up and running. Juric’s hold up play, ability to run in behind defences and aerial threat from crosses into the box means he can punish teams in a variety of different ways.
With an injury cloud hovering over Diego Castro, Bruno Fornaroli will likely be the focal point in attack for the Glory with his skill, technique and creativity making the Uruguayan a difficult player to contain.
Match details:
Game date: Wednesday, 20 January vs Perth Glory
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 4
Kick-off 8.50pm ACDT
Venue: HBF Park
Broadcast: Fox Sports
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
