Squaring the ledger
There are few teams that can claim to have bested City this season and Adelaide will no doubt be looking to leverage whatever mental edge they feel they possess following on from their victory against us at Coopers Stadium earlier in the year.
The City-Adelaide fixture has been an interesting one over the past few years in that it’s typically been dominated by whichever side has the luxury of hosting. Adelaide have won the past four fixtures in South Australia but haven’t beaten City at AAMI Park since late 2016.
With the home crowd getting behind the City boys on Thursday – and given we’re currently on a club-record seven-game winning streak at home – the conditions couldn’t be better for the boys to go out and claim another three points in the upcoming instalment of this storied fixture.
Our Club record home winning run extends to seven! 🤩#CmonCity | #MCYvBRI | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/yHbs38tXCS
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 9, 2021
Record undefeated streak within our grasp
We’ve already set countless new records this season, but our upcoming fixture represents another opportunity to rewrite Club history, with the boys on the cusp of going eight games unbeaten for the first time ever.
Since our disappointing loss to Western United earlier this year, the boys have recorded five wins and two draws, and would be looking to surpass the previous unbeaten streak of seven games set back in 2013/14.
That said, there’s a lot more to play for than just extending our unbeaten run, including the small matter of closing in on a first-ever league title…
One step closer to mathematical certainty
Following our important win on Sunday evening, the team have an opportunity to take another big step towards mathematical assurance of an inaugural Premier’s Plate if we can pull off another win at home against Adelaide.
With the City boys now nine points ahead of their nearest rivals, Thursday night’s clash could see the team extend its lead at the top, with the margin of that lead dependent on the result from Wednesday’s Brisbane Roar vs Central Coast Mariners fixture.
A Mariners win would see City’s lead remain at nine if we defeat Adelaide the following day (though with a game in-hand), whilst a draw or Brisbane victory would see us further extend our lead at the top.
None of this matters if we don’t perform and get the three points against the Reds, but we’re confident that the boys will be giving little thought to title equations and will be entirely focussed on their preparations ahead of Thursday.
Building momentum amidst a packed home schedule
Following that loss to Western United, the City boys struggled to string together consecutive wins over the ensuing handful of games, but have since recorded victories against Newcastle, Perth and Brisbane to sit on a three-game winning run.
A feast of City football awaits this week with two home matches at @AAMIPark in the space of just 72 hours! 🤤
🆚 @AdelaideUnited
🗓 Thursday 13 May, 7.05pm
🎟 https://t.co/y4MupkBsI7🆚 @WgtnPhoenixFC
🗓 Sunday 16 May, 4.05pm
🎟 https://t.co/1ERhHbHbbc pic.twitter.com/MsYIpbh4oF— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 11, 2021
This purple patch has coincided with a period of inconsistency from the chasing pack, affording City that sizeable buffer that we’ll look to continue to build on.
With the boys now back to playing their usual, exciting brand of football and buoyed by the momentum of three wins on the trot, City look an even more menacing force as we head into the second of our four consecutive games at home.
Jamo’s set to bring up a century of his own
Whilst Jamie Maclaren may have been stealing all the headlines of late as he seemingly shatters goalscoring records week-in, week-out, City skipper Scott Jamieson will bring up a massive milestone of his own if he takes to the field against Adelaide United on Thursday.
First goal for the Club ✅
First @aleague goal since 2014 ✅
2-0 up at home ✅Get in, @ScottJamieson! 🔥#CmonCity | #MCYvNEW | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/lY18aeqwJF
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) April 29, 2021
With 99 previous appearances for Melbourne City in all competitions, Jamieson needs just one more to become the second player in club history to feature 100 times for the club, and the left-back is likely to achieve the feat against the club that he started his A-League career with as a 19-year-old.
Upon cracking the tonne, Jamieson will need to feature in just four more matches to become City’s all-time record appearance-maker, surpassing David Williams on 103.
