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United ready to kick-start their season

Adelaide United will be looking to turn around their poor form with a win tonight against Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium.

Nov 05, 2015, updated Nov 06, 2015
Bruce Djite in action during a previous game against Melbourne City.

Bruce Djite in action during a previous game against Melbourne City.

The Reds are yet to win a game this season, despite a promising pre-season, having drawn two and lost two in the competition so far under new boss Guillermo Amor.

City have fared slightly better in their opening four games, winning one, drawing one and losing the remaining two. In the latest game they allowed Central Coast Mariners to come back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to win 3-2.

The preceding results see City four places above the last-placed Adelaide on the A-League ladder, with two points between them.

The worrying statistic for Amor’s side is the lack of goals – only two scored in four games, both of them own goals.

Melbourne, on the other hand, have scored eight already this season, from more than twice as many shots on target as the home side.

Adelaide’s passing game is no doubt beautiful, but it is yet to translate to goal-scoring opportunities and, most importantly, goals.

Striker Bruce Djite has told adelaideunited.com.au that this game will not make or break United’s season.

“We recognise the importance of this game,” he said.

“It’s like a final and could shape some of our season, but it isn’t going to define it.

“Winning the game doesn’t mean we’ll win the league; losing it doesn’t mean we’ll finish last, either.”

History is in the Reds’ favour tonight: they have scored in 14 of the last 15 fixtures against City, with the games yielding an average of 4.33 goals per game; United has lost only once at home to City, back in 2010.

City’s Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli has been a revelation for the visitors so far this season, scoring three in as many games for his new club.

His ability to turn on a sixpence, keep the ball glued to his feet, and create goals from nothing makes him a very credible threat to Adelaide’s shaky defence.

Paired with Socceroo Aaron Mooy, Fornaroli is likely to force United’s second-choice keeper, John Hall, into a few fine saves.

With Djite back, as well as young winger Bruce Kamau, Amor may rotate his attackers in the hope of unlocking the secret to success.

Craig Goodwin, Marcelo Carrusca and Sergio Cirio have under-performed so far this season, and with options on the bench, they will have the extra motivation to find the goal tonight.

Prediction: 1-2 City

Adelaide United v Melbourne City FC

Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Round 5
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 7:30 PM
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones

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