On February 9th, two mid-table teams in A-league will face against each other at AAMI Park in Melbourne, where Melbourne City awaits Adelaide United for their 2nd H2H match of the season.
Melbourne City have not had the best results in recent matches. Out of their last 5 games played, Melbourne City won only once, against WS Wanderers (4:3) and even then they won with 1 more player after Wanderers player Baccus was sent off in the 66th minute. Melbourne City took advantage of the extra player and scored 2 goals in 84th and 90’+4 minute which ultimately got them a win. If Baccus was not sent off we can only imagine how the match would go but one thing is for sure, Melbourne City would be winless in their last 5 games. In their most recent match, Melbourne City lost to Sydney FC (2:0), which was their 2nd defeat in a row. It’s not a secret City is not in a great spot right now, but I believe things will soon change. If you ask me why I got a simple answer. Jamie Maclaren. The well-known player, who played for Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar, where he scored 40 goals in 53 games has returned to Australia after leaving in 2017, only this time he will play under Melbourne City flag. He is a great addition to Melbourne City already potent attack and with that, I do believe City has a bright future. The upcoming match against Adelaide will be the first time Maclaren will play in A-League since his transfer which ties him with Melbourne City until 2023. As any debut, this one will be important for him to perform up to par and of course win.
Adelaide United are coming from a match which started terribly for them. In the 9th minute, their player (Ilso) was sent off. If that was not enough Brisbane Roar took advantage of the extra player and scored 3 goals in 19th 38th and 43rd minute. Despite the fact Adelaide were 1 player down, they managed to reduce the gap in the dying moments of the 1st half with a goal of their own (45’+2). In the second half, the unthinkable happened. Brisbane Roar lost 2 players in the span of 5 minutes. First, it was Ingham who received his 2nd yellow card and then it was Young who received a red card. With only 26 minutes left in the match Melbourne City were finally not with a player less, but rather had 1 player more than their opponents. This was a great chance to come back into the match and they did. In 67th minute Adelaide scored their 2nd goal to which they added an equalizer in 75th minute. it all seemed like the match will end in a draw, but Mileusnic had other plans and scored a goal in the final minute of added time (90’+7). With that Adelaide managed a once in a lifetime comeback and deservingly got themselves 3 points.
Adelaide United are coming into this match after a spectacular game against Brisbane Roar, which they won in the last seconds of the match, arguably with some luck on their side. On the other side, we have got strengthened Melbourne City, who have added a great striker among their ranks. Not only is Jamie Maclaren a great player, but the match against Adelaide will also be his debut which he surely wouldn’t want to lose. Looking at the form of both teams City are on a 2 game losing streak while Adelaide has won their last 2 matches. But then again, who have Adelaide defeated? Central Coast Mariners (1:2) and Brisbane Roar (4:3). Could they get easier opponents? I don’t think so and the fact that they barely won both matches makes me think how valuable are those two wins. Not really valuable if you ask me. Taking everything into consideration, Melbourne City are a better side and with Maclaren among their ranks, and that is why I expect them to easily overcome Adelaide.
Prediction: Melbourne City -0.50 Asian Handicap
