Adelaide United vs Sydney FC Prediction

Friday’s A-League action sees Adelaide United face off against Sydney FC, and the home side will be hungry to pick up a victory here, as it would see them hold top spot overnight.

After Auckland FC drew for the first time in their history with Melbourne City at the weekend, they opened the door to second placed Adelaide United, who would move top of the table if they win by a margin of two or more goals.

While not in the same discussion as their opposition, Sydney have had an acceptable start to the season, as they sit 7th with nine points after 7 games.

The 2019/20 champions, while struggling for consistency throughout their opening games, have certainly been the chief entertainers so far, with all but three of their competitive games since July seeing three or more goals scored.

As the two teams look to improve their table position, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Adelaide have won four of their last five league games, and have scored 12 goals in that time.
• With their tally of 17 league goals scored, Adelaide are the leading scorers in the A-League.
• Sydney have scored an incredible 15 goals in their last five competitive games.
• Their primary issue is stopping goals at the other end, as they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 12 fixtures.

Adelaide United Preview

Adelaide United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): James Delianov (GK); Ryan Kitto, Panagotis Kikianis, Bart Vriends, Dylan Pierias; Ethan Alagich, Isaias; Austin Ayoubi, Stefan Mauk, Zach Clough; Archie Goodwin.

While Sydney may have been the headline goal scoring act across all competitions, Adelaide are the ticket everyone is trying to get their hands on when it comes to league football.

With 24 goals scored across the last five league games, there is always a sense of anticipation when Adelaide take to the field. And their current goalscoring form isn’t a fluke either. Carl Vearts side have scored 50 or more goals in the last three seasons, no mean feat in a league campaign that is only 27 games long, and coincidentally, they top scored last season alongside Sydney with 52 goals apiece.

Combining both teams' form in front of goal, and with both looking to return to the pinnacle of Australian football after being crowned champions within the last decade, this clash promises to be a fascinating encounter. Neither side will give an inch, and it looks more likely to be a case of who scores more than who concedes fewer.

Sydney FC Preview

Sydney FC Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Andrew Redmayne (GK); Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Alexandar Popovic, Hayden Matthews, Rhyan Grant; Anthony Caceres, Adrian Segecic; Joe Lolley, Anas Ouahim, Douglas Costa; Patryk Klimala.

Despite superb conversion in front of goal, Sydney have serious problems in defence. While they have bagged an outstanding 15 goals in their last five games, they have conceded 10 at the other end, meaning that even when their opponents are behind, they always feel they are in with a chance of pulling the scoreline level.

Against a team of Adelaide’s scoring quality, things could well unravel alarmingly quickly, and they will need to rely on their talented group of forwards to try and outscore their opponents.

Fortunately, they can boast a former Bundesliga and Serie A winner amongst them in Douglas Costa, the lightning quick, electrically skillful Brazilian who despite being 34 years of age, shows no sign of slowing down. Despite no goals in his career at Sydney FC, his ball carrying and line splitting passes have proved key in the way that Ufuk Talay wants his side to play.

Keep an eye on him, as a player of Costa’s quality can swing the tie in his team's favour at any given point.

Adelaide United vs Sydney FC Head to Head

Last five meetings:

• 17/02/2024: Sydney 2-1 Adelaide.
• 13/01/2024: Adelaide 4-3 Sydney.
• 11/11/2023: Adelaide 1-5 Sydney.
• 07/04/2023: Adelaide 1-1 Sydney.
• 23/10/2022: Sydney 2-2 Adelaide.

Adelaide United vs Sydney FC Betting Tip

With both in a rich vein of goal scoring form, it is hard to say who will outscore the other and take three points. However, patterns have emerged in Sydney’s recent games that may encourage some to back them.

They typically draw the first half, regardless of who they are playing, and then turn the screw and go on to win after the half time team talk. Granted it may not be more than a recent trend in the games they have won, but we think it’s enough to back Sydney to win the second half, and a going into half time level.

Adelaide United vs Sydney FC Final Prediction

Adelaide United 2-3 Sydney FC

A cagey first half will end 1-1, but both sides will forget about defending in the second half and go for the jugular. It promises to be a cracker.