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A-League Preview: Gold Coast United - Sydney FC

Two teams with largely different scenarios lock horns in what is projected to be an exciting encounter.

Nov 6, 2009 12:31:27 PM

Jason Culina And Miron Bleiberg, Gold Coast United (Getty Images)

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Jason Culina And Miron Bleiberg, Gold Coast United (Getty Images)

Teams

Saturday, 7 November, Kick Off: 21:00 AEDT
Skilled Park, Robina (Queensland)
A-League, Round 14

Pride On The Line

When Gold Coast United meet competition leaders Sydney FC tonight, the A-league new-boys will be facing what will be their toughest test since their induction into Australia's top-tier competition as they seek to restore parity and keep pace with the league table's top-end.

The club's off-field issues of late have earned Gold Coast United bag-loads of negative media attention. And it appears that the noise coming from club owner Clive Palmer has not only caused bother amongst the FFA (Football Federation Australia) - but has also un-invitingly crept into the club's dressing room, thus affecting the team's output.

The Coasts' recent displays, which includes a humiliating 6-0 loss to Wellington Phoenix and a defeat at the hands of regional rivals North Queensland Fury, have left the club ruing their fate which has seen them relinquish top position. And coach Miron Bleiberg will want to ensure his troops distinguish their mid-season blues when they welcome their interstate rivals to Skilled Park.

Aiming For Three

Sydney FC head into this game brimming with confidence after impressive outings against Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar, not to mention their 3-0 drubbing of nemesis Melbourne Victory; Vladimir Lavicka's side's only defeat in their last five outings coming against Adelaide United.

Their good form of late coincides with the emergence of the Mark Bridge-Alex Brosque's pairing up front with the former netting a brace in the previous round's clash with Wellington to lift his season tally to six goals in total. Brosque, on the other hand, tops the competition assists chart with six in total - three of them coming in the Wellington fixture.

Also, the news of influential midfielder Terry McFlynn's new deal is another positive for the club heading into the game.

Currently, the Sky Blues occupy the summit on the standings, a point ahead of reigning premiers Melbourne Victory; five in front of their match-day opponents. Vladimir Lavicka's men walk into this game with a psychological advantage over their opponents although anything less than a win could see them concede top spot.

FORM GUIDE

Gold Coast United

Oct 2. Gold Coast United 0-0 Wellington Phoenix
Oct 11. Brisbane Roar 0-1 Gold Coast United
Oct 18. Gold Coast United 2-1 Perth Glory
Oct 25. Wellington Phoenix 6-0 Gold Coast United
Oct 31. Gold Coast United 0-2 North Queensland Fury

Sydney FC

Oct 5. Sydney FC 1-0 Central Coast Mariners
Oct 9. Melbourne Victory 0-3 Sydney FC
Oct 16. Adelaide United 2-1 Sydney FC
Oct 25. Sydney FC 2-1 Brisbane Roar
Nov 01. Sydney FC 3-1 Wellington Phoenix

TEAM NEWS

Gold Coast United

In: Kristian Rees (return from hip injury), Matt Osman (promoted), James Brown (promoted), Mitch Bevan, Milson (promoted)
Out: Golgol Mebrahtu (not selected), Robson (knee injury – 8 weeks)

Possible Line-up: (4-2-2-2) Higgins, Rees, van Den Brink, Anderson, Fitzsimmons, Pantelidis, Thwaite, Culina, Minniecon, Porter, Smeltz

Sydney FC

In: Stephan Keller (return from injury)
Out: Kofi Danning (International duty), Rhyan Grant (International duty)

Possible Line-up: (4-3-1-2) Bolton, Byun, Colosimo, Keller, Cole, McFlynn, Musialik, Kisel, Corica, Brosque, Bridge

KEY PLAYERS

Jason Culina (Gold Coast United) – The Socceroos midfielder has been busying himself trying to establish an emotional link between the embattled club and its fans, and the coming weeks will test the player's resilience which will no doubt be a telling factor if the Coast are to resurrect their early season exploits.

Alex Brosque (Sydney FC) – He played a hand in all three of the Sky Blues' goals in last week's victory over Wellington Phoenix. And despite registering just the one strike so far in the league, the former Queensland Roar forward's form suggest that tally could increase come Saturday evening.

PREDICTION

If these two sides' encounters with Wellington Phoenix are anything to go by, then it would be sensible to predict a Sydney FC victory but I see a possible share of the points given what's at stake for the Gold Coast, who have shown the ability to turn-over almost any side in the competition.

Gold Coast United 1-1 Sydney FC

Daniel Phan, Goal.com

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