Perth Glory vs Adelaide United Preview
Introduction
It’s back! After 180 days since their last game at home, Perth Glory are at HBF Park to kick their season off against Adelaide United in what should be an entertaining clash.
This will be a game in which the Glory will look to hit the ground running considering this will be their only home game until January 15th when Wellington Phoenix travel to Perth.
There’s a lot of interest in this game in particular, with over 17,000 expected and part of that interest has formed from the potential of new high profile signing Daniel Sturridge being very likely to make his debut albeit it will probably be only 15 or 20 minutes given his lack of game time and the fact that he only recently came out of quarantine.
Head Coach Richard Garcia was asked about this in his press conference leading up to the game. He said, “Daniel will definitely play a role. He’ll possibly get minutes but there’s no point trying to push him out there to start him and break him for the rest of the year.”
Unlike the home side, the reds on the other hand are in need of some firepower. Following the departure of fan favourite, Tomi Juric to Macarthur, Adelaide are lacking a prominent striker. At this present moment, they’ve got young guns Kusini Yengi and George Blackwood returning to the club, however both are not at the level of Juric.
Defensively, there’s also some concern for United as they’ve let go Jordan Elsey and Ryan Strain, two players who had very good seasons last year. They have brought in Nick Ansell, however some would argue that they’re still a bit light at the back.
Odds
Perth Glory $2.30
Draw $3.60
Adelaide United $2.87
Starting Lineups
Perth Glory (3–4–1–2) — Jones, Clisby, Aspropotamitis, Lachman, Ota, Timmins, O’Neill, Rawlins, Sardinero, Keogh, Fornaroli
Adelaide United (4–3–3) — Delianov, Cavallo, Timotheou, Ansell, López, Isaías, Juande, D’Arrigo, Kitto, Yengi, Halloran
Prediction
Perth Glory 4–1 Adelaide United
I think the Glory will be too strong for Adelaide in this match. Defensively, both sides look vulnerable but I feel that Perth’s firepower will overwhelm United’s back four. With forward players such as Bruno Fornaroli, Andy Keogh and Adrián Sardinero at Garcia’s disposal as well as bringing Sturridge off the bench, it looks like it will be goals galore for the Glory.
