The Sky Blues will take on Adelaide United in Round Four of the Isuzu UTE A-League this Saturday. The last two meetings between the foundation clubs culminated in two draws, with each club gunning to one up their opposition this time around. Follow us along as we check out three key matchups we could see on Saturday night.
Robert Mak v Ryan Kitto
Joining the Sky Blues at the top of his game, Mak has been an influential player both on and off the field winning the 2022/2023 Player of the Season for Sydney FC. After impressive performances in the Australia Cup, Mak has been called up to the Slovakian National Side once again and will look to head into the camp on the high with his first Isuzu UTE A-League goal of the season.
The former Player of the Season is paired up against Adelaide United’s very own number 7, Ryan Kitto, who has amassed over 181 appearances for the Red’s side. The newly appointed captain has a distinguished A-League career with the experience of a 2019 Australia Cup win to back him up.
Can Mak’s dominant attack overcome Kitto’s experienced defence?
Luke Brattan v Isaias Sanchez
The battle of the midfielders will take place Saturday evening when Sydney FC’s Luke Brattan goes head-to-head with Adelaide United’s Isaias Sanchez.
Sydney FC Captain, Luke Brattan, is no stranger to the high intensity that is the heart of the midfield. With over 85 appearances for the Sky Blues under his belt, Brattan has no doubt been a player to watch since his club debut in 2019. Sitting at an impressive 82.2% successful pass rate, Sydney FC’s leader will have no troubles feeding the ball to his forwards and he will be looking to help record the first points on the board for his side this campaign.
Brattan will face Isaias Sanchez who has been dubbed as Adelaide United’s most accurate passer of the football. Sanchez sits at an impressive 85.4% pass success rate since his arrival at the club in 2013. It will be a tough contest between the players, but fans can expect the pair to be up close and personal on the pitch Saturday evening.
Fabio Gomes v Joe Gauci
An epic showdown in the box can be anticipated for Saturday’s game. Sydney FC’s 26-year-old forward Fabio Gomes and Adelaide United’s 23-year-old goalkeeper Joe Gauci will put each other to the test.
After scoring 2 goals in 26 minutes in the Australia Cup Final, Gomes will be gearing up to kick off Sydney FC’s goal campaign for the 2023/2024 season. After signing on in September, the goalscoring Brazilian will be hoping to notch his first tallies in the goals column on Saturday night but may find the going tough coming up against in-form Joe Gauci.
Gauci’s impressive performance in the 2020/2021 season whilst filling in for an injured James Delianov landed him a two-year extension with the club and since then he has kicked on and now is part of the Socceroos camp, called up for the latest window next weekend. However, Adelaide United have not won the last three matches when they have hosted the Sky Blues at Coopers Stadium so he may have a busy evening ahead.
Saturday night’s match will have intensity running at an all-time high with fans anticipating which team will outplay the other. Will our Sky Blues finesse Adelaide United on their home turf?
Match Information:
Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Isuzu-UTE A-League Round Four
Saturday 11th November 2023
Coopers Stadium, Hindmarsh, South Australia
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10BOLD
