FFA Cup Final 2018 Preview: Can Adelaide exact revenge on Sydney FC?

Nearly a year on from Sydney FC’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United in the FFA Cup Final 2017, the two teams are primed and ready to do it all again.

The Sky Blues and Reds are set to meet on Tuesday evening (7.30pm AEDT kick-off) for what should be an enthralling contest at Coopers Stadium.

There’s plenty for both teams to consider as kick-off draws nearer – and here’s our full preview of the big match.

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LAST TIME THEY MET

It was clear that Adelaide boss Marco Kurz did his homework on the Sky Blues prior to their Hyundai A-League Season 2018/19 curtain raiser in Round 1.

An energetic and dogged display by the Reds nullified Sydney FC’s rhythm, and that blueprint might well serve Kurz and Adelaide well in Tuesday night’s Final.

Sydney FC will know they must step it up a notch from that meeting a fortnight ago, but Steve Corica’s side should enter the clash confident after their Sydney Derby win over Western Sydney Wanderers on the weekend.

HOW TO WATCH

Fox Sports will broadcast the match live and in full on channel 505, with the coverage kicking off with a 30-minute preview show from 7:00pm (AEDT).

If you have a Foxtel subscription with the Sports pack, you can also live stream the contest via the Fox Sports websiteHead here for information regarding purchasing relevant Fox Sports subscriptions.

The FFA Cup Final 2018 will also be screened on the My Football Live app for iOS and Android. The app is free to download with live matches being unlocked via the Telstra Live Pass. Telstra Live Pass, a live, fast and data-free inclusion, is available to all Telstra mobile customers free of charge. Non-Telstra customers can purchase a $99.99 annual Live Pass, $16.99 monthly Live Pass or $4.99 weekly Live Pass.

Download the My Football Live app now from the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.

RECENT FORM

After commencing their league campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Sky Blues in Hyundai A-League Round 1, the Reds chalked up the same scoreline against Newcastle Jets on Friday.

Craig Goodwin’s header made the difference for the Reds, who had gone behind to Ronny Vargas’ close range finish.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC strikers Adam Le Fondre and Alex Brosque pounced to hand the Sky Blues a 2-0 Sydney Derby victory against the Wanderers.

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WHAT THEY SAID

“I’m not frustrated because we played a good game against Sydney [Round 1] and today also the intensity was good.

“Sometimes the quality’s not good but that’s football. We cannot play every game on the same level.

"It’s a final. Both teams will be prepared and both teams are hungry for the trophy.”

- Adelaide boss Marco Kurz expects a tough contest.

Brandon O'Neill


“Having in mind the Cup game on Tuesday we took a few players off to get them ready for that.

He'll be involved, Danny [De Silva]. He's looking good at training and I'm looking forward to having him back."

- Sydney FC boss Steve Corica on Daniel De Silva’s potential involvement.

TALKING POINTS

With Siem de Jong suffering a cruel injury blow on the weekend, extra onus will fall to Milos Ninkovic to spark Sydney FC’s creativity.

The Serbian play-maker looked back to his best at the Sydney Cricket Ground and should hold the keys to unlocking Adelaide's defence.

Adam Le Fondre will also prove crucial. The English striker was an isolated figure for most of Sydney's Round 1 meeting with Adelaide but ruthlessly dispatched the one chance that fell his way.

After finding the back of the net against the Wanderers, the 31-year-old has now scored a goal in every game for his new club.

KEY PLAYER ANALYSIS: Brandon O’Neill
KEY PLAYER ANALYSIS: Jordan Elsey
KEY PLAYER ANALYSIS: Craig Goodwin

For Adelaide, winger Craig Goodwin will be vital in providing a potential killer blow.

Goodwin found the back of the net in Adelaide’s draw with the Jets on Friday night and has been a real highlight for the Reds during their run to the Final.

While Goodwin will carry much of Adelaide’s attacking burden, the presence of the Reds' defensive unit should be just as critical if Kurz’s men are to get over the line.

The Reds haven’t conceded a goal on the way to the Final, with the central defensive partnership of Jordan Elsey and Michael Jakobsen thriving in one of the Hyundai A-League’s most impressive defences.

Jordan Elsey and Adam Le Fondre