Flying high at the summit of the A-League table, Melbourne City will aim to extend their lead over the chasing pack when they welcome Adelaide United to AAMI Park this weekend.
City have lost just one of their 12 league games this season, while Adelaide have suffered four defeats in 13, meaning the gap between the teams stands at eight points ahead of their first meeting of the campaign.
Match preview
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When Patrick Kisnorbo departed AAMI Park to take charge of Ligue 1 side Troyes back in November, Melbourne City found themselves at a crossroads, having enjoyed unrivalled success under Kisnorbo's watch.
However, caretaker boss Rado Vidosic has built on the foundations set by Kisnorbo, with the 2021-22 regular-season winners suffering a solitary defeat in six matches since the managerial change.
City won five of their opening six games this season, taking 16 points from a possible 18 before the World Cup break, and they have continued to accumulate points post-World Cup, taking 11 from a possible 18 since the restart.
Having scored 13 goals in 12 league outings, Jamie Maclaren has undoubtedly been the club's standout performer yet again this term as he closes in on the all-time A-League scoring record, but City are by no means a one-man team, as Marco Tilio has chipped in with three goals and five assists.
At the opposite end of the pitch, goalkeeper Tom Glover has kept six clean sheets, while City have conceded a measly eight goals, meaning they boast the best defensive record in the division.
Although Vidosic's men have taken two points from their last two games – drawing 1-1 with Western Sydney Wanderers before being held to a goalless draw by Brisbane Roar – they will be confident of returning to winning ways this weekend.
Adelaide United made a flying start to the season, losing just one of their opening six games, but they have struggled for consistency of late, collecting eight points from a possible 21 since the World Cup break.
After returning to action with a draw against Brisbane, the Reds suffered back-to-back defeats against Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets before stopping the rot with a 2-0 victory over Perth Glory.
However, Carl Veart's side then suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Central Coast Mariners before drawing 1-1 with Melbourne Victory, so last week's 1-0 win against Macarthur came at just the right time.
Adelaide have only lost one of their six home games this term, securing four wins along the way, but there is no hiding the fact that they hold one of the worst away records in the division, having managed to win just one of their seven outings on the road.
Given that City have won four of their five home matches this season – scoring 13 goals while conceding just three – the South Australians could find themselves on the receiving end of another big victory for the league leaders.
Team News
Vidosic changed his full-backs last time out, with Scott Jamieson replacing Jordan Bos on the left and Scott Galloway coming in for Callum Talbot on the right, so the City manager could stick with the same backline after his team recorded a clean sheet against Brisbane.
Andrew Nabbout has made four starts and seven substitute appearances this season, but he looks set to start on the bench again this weekend, given the strong form of City's first-choice forwards.
As for Adelaide, they will be without suspended centre-back Ben Warland for the trip to Melbourne after he picked up a red card last time out, with Lachlan Barr or Alexandar Popovic expected to replace Warland in the starting XI.
Having bagged five goals and four assists in the league this season, Craig Goodwin will continue to operate on the Reds' left wing this weekend, while Ben Halloran will aim to enhance his tally of three goals and two assists.
Melbourne City possible starting lineup:
Glover; Galloway, Lam, Good, Jamieson; O'Neill; Tilio, Van der Venne, Berisha, Leckie; Maclaren
Adelaide United possible starting lineup:
Gauci; Lopez, Ansell, Popovic, Kitto; D'Arrigo, Alagich; Halloran, Clough, Goodwin; Ibusuki
We say: Melbourne City 3-1 Adelaide United
With Jamie Maclaren well on his way to securing a fourth successive A-League Golden Boot, the lethal striker should fire Melbourne City to a high-scoring victory over Adelaide United, strengthening the club's title charge in the process.
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Top tip
Ben Morris
