Preview: Adelaide United vs. Wellington Phoenix - prediction, team news, lineups

Adelaide United play host to Wellington Phoenix on Friday looking for the victory which will keep them in close proximity to A-League leaders Melbourne City.

While Phoenix currently find themselves down in ninth position in the standings, they are only five points adrift of their hosts.

Match preview

Having failed to build on a six-match winning streak earlier in the season, there is still a feeling of frustration in the Adelaide first-team squad.

Just six points have been collected from as many fixtures with their most recent encounter against Western United ending in a goalless draw.

With the possibility of dropping down into mid-table becoming more likely, Carl Veart knows that his players must raise their game if they want to stop their previous hard work from going to waste.

On a positive note, they can advance into second position if they win their game in hand, and they also have the opportunity to take points off Melbourne City on May 13.

Adelaide had scored in 11 matches in succession before drawing a blank against Western United, ending a run which had lasted since February 12.

While the home side enjoyed their strongest period earlier in the season, Phoenix have been performing to their best for almost a month.

Three wins and two draws have been recorded during that period, including a 2-1 triumph over their next opponents in the reverse fixture.

Although they have played more games than several of their rivals, Ufuk Talay's team are competing with the belief that they can trouble any club in the division.

Despite failing to score during the goalless draw at Brisbane Roar, the positives were taken from ending a nine-match streak without a shutout.

Team News

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Adelaide will be without Mohamed Toure after the youngster was sent off after coming on as a substitute in the last game.

Kusini Yengi is pushing for a recall to the starting lineup, while Ryan Kitto is an option at left-back if Veart wants a more attack-minded alternative.

Phoenix will be forced into making at least two changes as Louis Fenton and Cameron Devlin are serving suspensions for five yellow cards.

James McGarry or Sam Sutton may deputise at right-back, while Alex Rufer is expected to replace Devlin in midfield.

Ben Waine and Tomer Hemed find their places at risk after failing to net against Brisbane.

Adelaide United possible starting lineup:
Gauci; Strain, Elsey, Timotheou, Cavallo; D'Arrigo, Juande, Mauk; Halloran, Juric, Goodwin

Wellington Phoenix possible starting lineup:
Sail; McGarry, Taylor, Payne, Sutton; Davila, Rufer, Lewis, Ball; Waine, Hemed

We say: Adelaide United 1-1 Wellington Phoenix

Given the contrasting form of the two sides, there is every chance of an away win on Friday.

However, we are backing Adelaide to raise their game, earning a share of the spoils to prevent their opponents from closing the gap to two points.