Four players who could decide tonight's FFA Cup Final 2018

The big night has finally arrived.

A winner will be crowned in tonight's FFA Cup Final 2018 between Adelaide United and Sydney FC.

The two sides drew 1-1 in their Hyundai A-League Season 2018/19 curtain-raiser a fortnight ago. 

But who are the players who could prove decisive tonight? Let's take a look! 

PREVIEW: Can Adelaide exact revenge on Sydney FC?
WATCH: How to tune in to the FFA Cup Final
HOW IT UNFOLDED:
 Road to the FFA Cup Final 2018

Adam Le Fondre

Adam Le Fondre has only been on Australian shores for a matter of months.

But Adelaide United have already experienced just how lethal the Sky Blues striker can be.

The 31-year-old drew huge praise from Adelaide coach Marco Kurz in the pre-match build up and has been on the scoresheet in every match he's played at Sydney so far - including that late leveller in the Hyundai A-League season opener at Coopers Stadium.

Missing media item.

English football fans will remember Le Fondre's exceptional goals-to-games ratio for Premier League club Reading in 2012/13, where he scored more goals (12) than starts (11) - averaging a goal every 124 minutes.

No such super-sub status is likely to be bestowed upon Le Fondre tonight, who will surely be one of the first names on Steve Corica’s FFA Cup Final 2018 team sheet.

Missing media item.

Jordan Elsey

The man tasked with keeping Le Fondre quiet will be ever-improving centre-back Jordan Elsey, who has been pivotal at both ends during Adelaide’s FFA Cup Final 2018 run.

REDS HISTORY: Relieving the 2014 FFA Cup Final
HISTORY: Adelaide's ecstasy, Cahill's heroics: A look at every FFA Cup Final

Adelaide haven't conceded a single goal en route to the final, and the 24-year-old has also found the net on two occasions - against Central Coast Mariners and Bentleigh Greens.

Missing media item.

Elsey produced some impressive defending to limit Le Fondre’s impact in their most recent duel, but his concentration will have to last the full duration if Adelaide are to lift the trophy.

KEY PLAYER ANALYSIS: Reds defender Jordan Elsey

Craig Goodwin

Kurz insisted that you have to score twice to beat Sydney FC after their 1-1 draw in Hyundai A-League Round 1 and he’ll be relying on Craig Goodwin to ensure that happens this time round.

The 26-year-old arguably poses the main threat to the Sky Blues’ defence. He could start on the left flank of the Reds’ attack but might well be interchanging positions to find space and unleash his lethal left foot.

Missing media item.

His devilish set-piece delivery and ability to get crosses into the box add to his threat, making him the man to stop if Sydney FC are to become the first side to retain the FFA Cup trophy.

KEY PLAYER ANALYSIS: Adelaide wing wizard Craig Goodwin

Brandon O’Neill

While the attacking qualities of Le Fondre, Milos Ninkovic and Alex Brosque are without question, the Sky Blues’ ability to provide them with the ball in dangerous areas will be key to their success.

With Siem de Jong ruled out due to injury, additional burden falls on the shoulders of Brandon O’Neill to win the midfield battles and control the game.

Missing media item.
Brandon O’Neill will be looking to win the midfield battle on Tuesday night.

Adelaide’s inevitable high press will demand character and composure on the big stage, but the well-rounded distributor has proven that he is capable of carrying that burden.

KEY PLAYER ANALYSIS: Midfield maestro to run the show

Brandon O'Neill