Melbourne City will be hoping it can come away with all three points when it returns to home soil to face Adelaide United this Sunday.
After two matches on the road that saw the team come away with two draws, the Men’s squad will play in the first leg of the City double-header at AAMI Park, as they look to return to their winning ways.
Despite being unable to come away with a win in either of its most recent away fixtures, City has been in total control of both games, merely unable to convert that impressive brand of football into the full three points.
City had over 66% possession and created more chances in front of goal in the games against the Wanderers and most recently the Roar, but have been unable to land the decisive blow.
City to make more changes?
After five straight games of rolling out the same starting XI, City was finally forced to make a change in the game against the Roar, with skipper Scott Jamieson replacing Jordan Bos at left back after the talented youngster was ruled out through concussion protocols.
Scott Galloway also came into the side, replacing Callum Talbot at the opposite fullback position.
As City turns its attention to the 5th placed Adelaide United this Sunday, it’s yet to be seen whether Head Coach Rado Vidosic will look to bring the two young fullbacks back into the fold or stick with the XI that took on the Roar in Brisbane.
The two youngsters quickly made the fullback positions their own, starting in each of City’s 12 games to begin the season, but Vidosic certainly has no need to rush Bos back with a quality option in Jamieson there to fill the void.
A chance to replicate an impressive last home fixture
The last time the City Men’s side played at home, it came out firing and made a serious statement to the rest of the A-League competition.
Three goals inside the opening 25 minutes saw City blow Western United away on its way to a dominant 4-0 win back on January 7.
A little under a month later, City’s Men are back at AAMI Park playing in the first game of the City v Adelaide double header as it looks to return to the winners circle.
Despite putting in impressive performances, City is yet to record a win since that memorable night against Western United, coming away with two draws from its last two matches and this Sunday beckons as the perfect opportunity to replicate its earlier season form.
City’s wall at the back
While much has been made of City’s attacking prowess and ability to find the back of the net, it’s the sides resolute defence that has at times gone unnoticed this season.
The regular back four combination of Jordan Bos, Curtis Good, Thomas Lam and Callum Tallbot have excelled this season, while goalkeeper Tom Glover currently leads the way in the league for clean sheets (6) and for goals conceded (8).
The most effective goalkeepers are the ones that ensure they face the least amount of shots, and Glover has been working nicely with the backline to nullify any signs of potential danger from the opposition forwards.
Glover has faced the least amount of shots of any keeper this season, facing only 43 shots on target while also having a save percentage of 81%.
A new signing for City in August of last year, Finnish international Thomas Lam has excelled alongside Curtis Good in the heart of defence, with the two complimenting the excitement of the two young fullbacks in Tallbot and Bos.
Lam leads the way for City with 8 blocks, while Good has made 31 clearances already this season.
What happened last time?
The last time these two sides met was back in May of last year where it was City who came up triumphs in an Semi Final epic, with Jamie Maclaren scoring in extra time to see City come away with a 2-1 victory.
City will be looking to secure back-to-back victories over Adelaide for the first time since January 2018 and will be coming into the clash with the confidence of playing at home, having only lost once in their past 9 fixtures against Adelaide at AAMI Park.
How have both teams been travelling recently?
City are coming into this Sunday’s match on the back of consecutive draws, with their frustrating 1-1 result with Western Sydney Wanderers followed up by a scoreless draw against the Roar.
City has still only lost the one game this season, currently holding a record of 8 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss.
Meanwhile, Adelaide are coming in off a 1-0 win over Macarthur, with Zac Clough’s goal in the 6th minute enough for them to hold on to the full three points at home.
The Reds currently sit fifth on the ladder and in the midst of an inconsistent period, having won two, lost two and drawn once in their last five fixtures.
Match Details
A-League Men: Round 14
Melbourne City FC v Adelaide United
Sunday 29 January, 3:00pm KO
AAMI Park
