Adelaide United — Sydney FC : Match Preview and Prediction for October 17,2025

Adelaide United’s Defensive Woes

Adelaide United, once considered a benchmark for defensive solidity, surprisingly endured a dismal season last year, recording their worst-ever defensive statistics. The ‘Reds’ conceded an unprecedented 55 goals, placing them second-lowest in the league, only marginally better than Perth, who finished bottom with 56 goals conceded.

Recent Form and Coaching Change

Despite making it into the playoffs in the final rounds, the home side couldn’t find their footing and rectify their poor form. Insufficient preparation and squad selection acutely impacted all competitions. Towards the season’s end, Ayrton Andrioli, formerly Adelaide’s youth team coach, was appointed as head coach. It’s premature to assess any significant improvements; recent results include a 1-2 cup exit against Newcastle Jets in late July and a commanding 9-0 victory in a friendly against a modest West Adelaide. While the scoreline is impressive, it doesn’t truly reflect their current state. Further concerns arise from a 0-3 defeat against Melbourne Victory. Against direct rivals, the overall picture remains far from positive.

Historical Season Starts

Over the past five seasons, the ‘Reds’ have consistently started their campaigns with low-scoring matches (Under totals) and predominantly drawn outcomes, such as 0-0, 1-1, and 1-1. A convincing 3-0 victory against Central Coast a couple of years ago stands out as their only emphatic opening win during this period.

Injury Concerns for Adelaide

Injuries are posing additional challenges for Adelaide. Two defensive midfielders, Jay Barnett and Brazilian Anselmo (previously with Malaysian club Johor), are currently sidelined. This area was crucial for reinforcement, but it seems no immediate changes are in sight. The attack has also been severely affected, with five players out: attacking midfielder Ryan White, left wingers Craig Goodwin (who arrived from Saudi side Al-Wahda) and Austin Ayoubi, as well as right-sided players Julian Kwaaitaal (from FC Eindhoven) and Jay Garuccio (promoted from Adelaide’s U21 youth team). While the squad boasts a promising mix of young talent and experienced players, their ongoing recovery means the hosts are unlikely to unleash their full potential, and playing without errors will undoubtedly be a struggle.

Sydney FC’s Playoff Near Miss

The ‘Sky Blues’ of Sydney FC surprisingly performed even worse last season, finishing 7th, just below Adelaide. They narrowly missed a playoff spot by a single point, despite having been ahead of the ‘Reds’ with a couple of rounds remaining in the season.

Impressive Pre-Season Form

During the summer, the visitors played six matches and remained undefeated in regular time. They secured a notable 2-1 victory against Wrexham, a Championship side, followed by a 4-1 win over Blacktown City. Their cup run saw them progress through three rounds with victories against Western and Sydney United, 1-0 and 2-0 respectively. They drew 1-1 with Auckland in regular time but lost in the penalty shootout. Just before the season’s commencement, they clinched a confident 3-1 win against Perth. This robust pre-season suggests strong momentum for a successful start to the first round. Despite a less-than-convincing previous season, Ufuk Talay has retained his position as head coach.

Key Acquisitions for Sydney FC

Significant acquisitions include Ben Garuccio, the former captain of Western United and a highly experienced defender with over 200 appearances. Another crucial defensive reinforcement is Marcel Tisserand, the former captain of the DR Congo national team. From Portuguese club Benfica, they’ve brought in Paul O’Connor, a promising young defensive midfielder. Matthew Scarsella joins the midfield from Newcastle Jets, and Patrick Wood arrives from Perth Glory to bolster the attacking line.

Notable Departures and Impact

Among the notable departures is the star player Douglas Costa, renowned for his stints at Bayern Munich and Juventus, whose contract was terminated due to personal reasons. Other attacking players, Caceres, Kucharski, and Burgess, have also left the club. The aforementioned new signings were brought in to fill these vacancies. Garuccio and Tisserand stand out as the top acquisitions, particularly vital for strengthening a previously problematic defensive area.