Adelaide United - Gamba Osaka
Adelaide are without GK Galekovic and veteran DF Constanzo for sure, and MF Reid is likely to sit this one out as well. Mullen would be a potential replacement for him, but instead Valkanis will step in if Reid is to miss it. For Gamba, only DF Nakazawa is out, and although he’s an important figure in their defence they should manage without him too.
Gamba lost their last match vs FC Tokyo, 1-3 at home. A poor result, and a bit of a downfall from the superb performance against Adelaide in the first round. That means they don’t stand a chance with regards to a top 3 finish this season, so ACL is their first priority now. Gamba’s done quite well in their away matches in Asia this season, and got strong away wins both in Korea and Australia in the group stage Adelaide haven’t played since the loss vs Gamba in the first round, so they should be well-rested. They’ve done pretty well in the league this season, and are only 3 points behind 1st place with a game in hand. Adelaide won 3-0 at home vs Bunyodkor in the semifinal, so they shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Anyway, Gamba are of course favorites for the overall win, but I think they are favorites to win this match as well. It can go both ways, but at the moment Gamba looks strongest, and Adelaide with a couple of regulars missing doesn’t look that good really. It will be a sell-out though, and the home fans will do their best to help Adelaide clinch it.
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