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Friday 19th November 2010
AAMI Park
Kick off: 8:00pm (20:00AEST)
Head to Head: Adelaide United 1, Melbourne Heart 0
Last Met: Adelaide United 3-2 Melbourne Heart
Melbourne Heart
After a miserable start to their inaugural season, the Heart have slowly but surely been making their presence felt both on the pitch and the A-League ladder. The Heart have been playing some quality football of late and will feel a touch aggrieved not to have gotten more from their narrow loss to the table-topping Brisbane Roar last week. After building momentum nicely, the only question mark looming over the side that has lost just one in their past six matches is the fitness of the Heart’s ageing players. If Heart coach, John van’t Schip, can get the defibrillators working on his elder statesman, then the Heart should prove hard to beat at home on Friday night.
Adelaide United
The up-coming fixture poses as a danger match for Adelaide with any result other than a win likely to put the hard chasing Central Coast Mariners in prime position to snatch second place on the ladder. After starting the season in red-hot style, Adelaide’s recent form has been patchy at best with just one win in their last four outings. The loss of Mathew Leckie to injury has hurt the side’s attacking prowess, while their defence that has been solid all season is beginning to look a tad frail. While some think the quality of Adelaide’s side is enough to have them bounce back with a big result, after coming off a 3-1 drubbing at the hands of a resurgent Newcastle Jets, Adelaide will have to show some bitter resolve and prove their mettle to be a chance of getting three points against the Heart.
Key Men
Josip Skoko: He has been the heartbeat (sick of the puns yet?) of the Melbourne side, the midfield general showing his class and experience with third phase vision and an array of passes to boot. If the legs can hold out, it will be no surprise to see Skoko orchestrate another Heart win.
Marcos Flores: Anything Adelaide has produced ranging from the good to the sublime this season has come largely down to the influence and genius of Flores. Though the silky Argentine’s form has dipped over the past few weeks, at any moment Flores has the ability to make like Harry Potter and magically lift Adelaide out of their rut with a win.
Betfair Odds
Betfair currently have Melbourne Heart as the favourites at $2.46 while Adelaide United sits at $3.20 for the win. The draw is paying $3.30.
To place a bet or take a look at other match odds, click the link below and take advantage of the best odds on the net!
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Tip
Melbourne Heart