Crunch time arrives for Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United

Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United have plenty to play for in Saturday night’s ‘Original Rivalry’ clash at AAMI Park.

Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles says his side will be “just as desperate” as Adelaide United on Saturday night in a game crucial to both teams’ chances of remaining in contention for the A-League premiership.

Both the Victory and the Reds will start the contest at AAMI Park nine points adrift of first-placed Auckland FC, who meet the struggling Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

It means if the Black Knights, as expected, beat Brisbane, they could finish the weekend 12 points ahead of either the Victory or Adelaide.

A loss for either the Melbourne club or the Reds will also harm their chances of finishing second, which could bring with it a spot in next season’s AFC Champions League Elite competition, which Auckland is ineligible to play in due to being from New Zealand, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation.

Even worse is that if there is a loser in the “Original Rivalry” battle, that team will fall out of the top six if Sydney FC beats Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

The boys are back 🙏

See you this Saturday night for The Original Rivalry double header 😤

🎟️ https://t.co/yFYvuC3JpXpic.twitter.com/YPeziWvlVb

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) March 27, 2025

“We can only control what we do and we know it’s a huge game,” Diles said on Friday.

“There’s not a long way to go (in the season) now and every game is so important.

“We’re just as desperate (as Adelaide). It’s just as big for us, if not bigger, because now we’re at home. It’s a massive game for both teams.”

While the Victory’s recent form has been patchy, Adelaide’s has been woeful.

The Reds have won just one of their past eight games to drop to sixth on the ladder.

They have conceded 15 goals in their past five matches, including a handful in their last-start 5-4 home loss to Macarthur FC.

Adelaide coach Carl Veart said his team was getting “punished” for its errors.

“I want my team to play (attacking football), so I have to take the blame for those mistakes,” Veart said.

“It’s about picking those moments, and hopefully we limit those mistakes that we made in the last game.

“It’s important to have the belief and when we play well, I think we’re one of the best footballing teams in the league.”
“We’ve pretty much been our worst enemy, and it’s just about making sure our focus is good and that concentration is good for the whole game.”

Original Rivalry quiz with a mean twist (sorry @StefanMauk) 😂 pic.twitter.com/eIJVuQsDjX

— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) March 28, 2025

Veart said right-back Dylan Pierias would return to Adelaide’s starting team – at the expense of youngster Harry Crawford – now that he had regained full fitness.

“Harry came in and did a great job, but having someone a little bit more experience playing that role suits us,” the Reds mentor said.