Adelaide United vs Auckland FC Preview
The A-League semi-final is evenly poised at 1-1 after last weekend's first leg and there's value on a repeat scoreline in the second leg too. I'm backing Adelaide to qualify for the final with extra-time or penalties needed.
- Adelaide are unbeaten in 15 of their last 16 games
- Adelaide have drawn 6 of their last 9 games
- All 6 of those draws have ended in a 1-1 score
- 5 of Auckland's last 6 games have ended in a draw inside 90 minutes
- 3 of those 5 draws were by a 1-1 score
- 4 of the 5 previous meetings ended in a draw, including the last two by a 1-1 score
Adelaide United vs Auckland FC Head To Head
Four of the five previous encounters between the teams have ended in a share of the spoils.
Adelaide United Form - Reds Difficult To Beat
It's been a superb end to the season for Adelaide - they edged out more-fancied teams to finish in second spot on the ladder, earning a week off as a result.
Despite winning just three of their last nine games, the Reds are proving very difficult to break down and beat - and that fighting spirit was on full display again in the first leg of the semi-finals.
After going down 1-0, young gun Harry Crawford found the back of the net after a nice delivery from Yaya Dukuly to give Adelaide another share of the spoils and a positive result heading home for this leg.
Club legend Craig Goodwin has come off the bench in his last two games and might be in line for a start here.
Auckland FC Form - Draw Specialists Of Late
It was a slightly disappointing end to the season for Auckland.
After being a top two mainstay for the bulk of the campaign, the Black Knights were pipped by Adelaide on the final day, forcing the Kiwi club into an elimination final against the reigning premiers.
Auckland were up for the challenge, holding off Melbourne City on penalties to advance into this semi-final tie with the Reds.
Lachlan Brook - who made his A-League debut for Adelaide - sent the home crowd into early celebrations by scoring the opening goal of the game, but Steve Corica's side couldn't hold on and now must deal with a sold-out Coopers Stadium in order to advance to a first Grand Final.