Auckland FC vs Adelaide United Preview
A tight first leg of this A-League semi-final is predicted with a draw the most likely outcome given the recent form of both teams. Adelaide have drawn five of their last eight games and Auckland have finished level in four of their last five outings.
- Auckland have drawn 4 of their last 5 games
- Adelaide have drawn 5 of their last 8 games
- BTTS has landed in 14 of Adelaide's last 15 games
- BTTS has landed in 7 of Auckland's last 8 games
- 3 of the 4 previous meetings have ended in a draw
- BTTS has landed in all 4 previous meetings
Auckland FC vs Adelaide United Head To Head
Auckland were 2-1 winners early on this season in Round 3 before a 1-1 draw in Round 23.
Auckland FC Form - Black Knights Stay Alive
After failing to win their last five games of the regular season, Auckland missed out on a top two finish and were forced into an elimination final against the reigning premiers Melbourne City last week.
Again, the Black Knights failed to secure a win inside 90 minutes.
Guillermo May opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, but Auckland couldn't hold on as Medin Memeti equalised in the 94th minute to send the game into extra-time.
It was a cagey period of extra-time before Steve Corica's side claimed the win with a perfect penalty shootout, scoring seven times as Dan Hall slotted home the winner following Daniel Atkinson's miss.
Adelaide United Form - Draw Specialists
It was a fantastic end to the season for Adelaide as they went unbeaten in 13 of their last 14 games, losing only to minor premiers Newcastle.
A thrilling stoppage time winner by Luka Jovanovic saw Adelaide beat Melbourne City 2-1 on the final day of the regular season, with the Reds stealing the second automatic semi-final position as a result.
However, that moment came at a cost, with Jovanovic suspended for this first leg after taking off his shirt in the celebrations and earning a second yellow card.
It's a huge blow, with Jovanovic equal with Cosgrove at the top of the scoring charts with 12 goals for the season.