Preview: Adelaide United vs. Melbourne City - prediction, team news, lineups

Fourth-placed Adelaide United will welcome current A-League leaders Melbourne City on Friday, providing the hosts with the chance to cut down the gap that the visitors have on the chasing pack.

Adelaide are without a win in two games but do boast a seven-match undefeated run heading into this fixture.

Match preview

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Adelaide United were once again held to a draw last weekend as they shared the points with Melbourne Victory in a game filled with late drama.

Both of the goals in the 1-1 match were scored in the final 10 minutes of the game, but it was Carl Veart's men who will have left happier as they came from behind to rescue the result.

Nestory Irankunda's 87th-minute goal helped them secure the draw which ensured that Adelaide United would remain level with both of the teams directly above them.

However, while a win this week could see them move up into second, they currently sit nine points behind their opponents.

This showcases the importance that is on this game as Adelaide United will need to start catching up to Melbourne City soon if they want to mount a late title challenge.

However, the visitors immediately got back to winning ways last weekend after suffering only their second defeat of the season in the game prior to that.

Melbourne City were involved in a five-goal thriller for the second match in a row, but this time they came out on top following a brace from Jamie Maclaren and a goal by Marco Tilo.

While the league leaders will be more than happy to secure another positive result like that, Rado Vidosic will be pushing to see more control from his team.

However, that is not what happened the last time they played Adelaide United as it was another poor defensive display from the Hearts as they drew 3-3.

It took a 92nd-minute penalty for Melbourne City to even secure that result, and a much-improved performance will be necessary this time around if they want another good result considering the hosts are undefeated in their previous seven.

Team News

After scoring from 25 yards out last week to secure a point for his team, Irankunda will be hoping he has done enough to push into the starting lineup this time around.

Meanwhile Josh Cavallo is now a long-term absentee for the visitors due to the fact he has ruptured his Achilles tendon.

The visitors were also dealt a major blow recently as it was confirmed that Mathew Leckie is now out of action with a hamstring strain that will see him miss a minimum of six weeks.

He is joined on the shelf by Arion Sulemani, who will be out for much longer after an ACL tear.

Adelaide United possible starting lineup:

Gauci; Lopez, Ansell, Popovic, Kitto; D'Arrigo, Alagich; Halloran, Clough, Goodwin; Ibusuki

Melbourne City possible starting lineup:

Glover; Bos, Lam, Reis, Talbor; O'Neill; Nabbout, Van der Venne, Berisha, Tilo; Maclaren

We say: Adelaide United 2-2 Melbourne City

Melbourne City's games have been rather frantic lately, and their defensive issues could open up opportunities for Adelaide United this time around.

The hosts were able to take a point from the Hearts the last time they met, and with their recent run of results, it would not be a shock to see them do it again.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.