Just in case you needed more reasons to be excited for Friday night’s away trip to Coopers Stadium to take on Adelaide United…
The Original Rivalry reignites!
The first Original Rivalry game of the season brings with it the next chapter in this storied matchup.
Victory dominate the all-time head-to-head between the combatants with 28 wins compared to Adelaide’s 19, as well as 11 draws.
However, the Reds do have a superior record at Coopers Stadium, boasting 11 wins compared to Victory’s 8.
Despite this, Victory went unbeaten against Adelaide last season, including winning both clashes away in South Australia.
Either way, the passion and intensity of these clashes almost always ensures a captivating contest.
With both sides coming into the game off the back of commanding wins, neither playing group will be short on confidence, setting up a true Friday night blockbuster.
The final game before the World Cup break
The men’s World Cup is under two weeks away, meaning this weekend’s A-League Men’s fixtures will be the last until December.
A positive result on Friday night becomes even more important knowing that the outcome will linger in the memory of both teams.
The players themselves will be sure to leave everything on the pitch as they look to make the most of their final opportunity to impress in a competitive fixture for several weeks.
A win for Victory will mean they head into the break coming off back-to-back wins, setting up Tony Popovic’s side for a strong run at the remainder of the season.
More goals on the menu?
Victory looked to have resolved their early-season goalscoring woes last week with a clinical 4-0 win over the Newcastle Jets.
Having failed to find the back of the net since Round 1 prior to the result, Victory may well have rediscovered their attacking flair.
Adelaide have yet to keep a clean sheet this season which will serve as extra encouragement for the Victory forwards looking to continue building their attacking momentum.
The recently arrived Bruno Fornaroli scored on his Victory debut last week and will certainly pose a major threat to the Reds’ defence.
Former Reds with a point to prove
The Victory squad features no shortage of former Adelaide players hoping to make an impact against their former side.
Paul Izzo, Noah Smith, George Timotheou and Nathan Konstandopoulos were all previously on the books at the Reds.
The opportunity to face off against former teammates will no doubt add another layer of excitement and motivation for each of the players looking to prove their worth in Victory blue.
A full away bay
The Victory faithful never disappoint when it comes to away days in Adelaide.
A historic rival just across the border, with plenty on the line, plus the final men’s game before the World Cup break, ensures the away bay will be rocking on Friday night.
Visit our Away Day Hub
Got plans to head to the match in Adelaide? Visit our Away Day Hub for all the info you need to make your away match experience as easy as possible! From ticketing to transport and everything in between, check out the hub now!
