Preview: Melbourne Victory vs. Adelaide United - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are also running high on confidence after six matches in a row without a defeat which has seen them climb into third place.

Match preview

Melbourne Victory were involved in a five-goal thriller last weekend that saw them produce a surprise result as they defeated their local rivals Melbourne City, despite the fact they were at the opposite end of the table.

Tony Popovic's men headed into that game sat at the foot of the A-League division, but the three points proved to be crucial as they were able to climb into 10th place.

Goals from Damien Da Silva, Bruno Fornaroli and Joshua Brillante wrapped up the win as they hung on in the final 10 minutes after conceding for a second time as they secured the result.

That saw Melbourne Victory return to winning ways at the first time of asking after a defeat in the previous week, and they will now be chasing consecutive wins for the first time this year.

Considering the fact that a defeat could see them sink straight back to the bottom of the table there will be plenty of pressure on the team in this match to ensure they continue moving forward.

The visitors sit at the other end of the A-League, and therefore have their own reasons to be pushing for all three points as they look to place pressure on those above them.

Three points for Adelaide United could see them move into second place, potentially closing the gap on Melbourne City at the same time.

Last weekend saw them involved in a frantic eight-goal encounter as they drew 4-4 against Western Sydney Wanderers in what was a game of frustration for them after they were pulled back three times.

Carl Veart will have been left particularly annoyed considering the fact that his team conceded the final goal of the game in the 95th minute, making it feel more like a loss than anything else.

Adelaide United's matches have featured a lot of goals as of late, and the fact they have been so open is something that the team will be looking to change in order to have more control.

No team in the division has conceded more goals away from home this season, and that has caused problems on the road where they have won just two games so far.

Melbourne Victory Australian A-League form:

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Adelaide United Australian A-League form:

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Team News

Rai Marchan and Nani remain on the injured list for Melbourne Victory, which is something that they have been dealing with for a while as of late.

However, the hosts can now add Matthew Bozinovski to that list as he suffered a broken foot during a training match which will see him spend for the foreseeable future on the sidelines.

Josh Cavallo sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon in Adelaide United's 4-4 draw last weekend which will see him out of action for a while now.

Bernardo, Panashe Madanha, and Jonny Yull will also all be unavailable this weekend as they are on international duty with Australia's Under-20s team.

This has opened up some opportunities for others to be submitted to the matchday squad as Jay Barnett and Luke Duzel have been brought in for the first time since they joined the club.

Melbourne Victory possible starting lineup:

Acton; Geria, Da Silva, Spiranovic, Chapman; Brillante, Broxham; Velupillay, Brimmer, Folami; Fornaroli

Adelaide United possible starting lineup:

Gauci; Lopez, Ansell, Popovic, Kitto; D'Arrigo, Alagich; Halloran, Clough, Goodwin; Ibusuki

We say: Melbourne Victory 2-2 Adelaide United

Melbourne Victory have got a lot of momentum behind them after a major victory last weekend, and that should lead to them creating another strong performance.

Adelaide United have struggled away from home, and while they are in a better league position it might end up being a draw this time around.

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