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Adelaide feel A-League ladder squeeze

3 minute read

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart says every A-League game is now vital as the fourth-placed Reds seek to consolidate a finals spot.

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart admits to feeling the squeeze before Friday night's crunch A-League clash with Western United.

Veart's Reds hold fourth spot on the ladder, just two points shy of pacesetters Melbourne City.

But Adelaide are just three points ahead of sixth-placed Western United.

And Mark Rudan's side hold a game in hand over the Reds and have played two fewer matches than potential finalists Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur FC.

"All the games are very important now at this back end of the season," Veart told reporters on Thursday.

"There's a lot of teams pushing to make the six and a lot of teams pushing now to make that top-two spot.

"Our home games are really important and we have had really good success at home so we're expecting tomorrow night to be no different."

Adelaide have won five of eight games this season at Coopers Stadium, the venue for Friday night's fixture - losing just once on home soil.

The encounter with Western United is one of five home games for Adelaide in the remaining eight rounds before the finals.

Veart's squad has been bolstered by the return of 17-year-old attacking spark Mohamed Toure from a hamstring strain.

Toure and his 20-year-old brother Al Hassan loom as likely substitutes.

"We know Mohamed is a very exciting player ... whether he gets an opportunity, that will depend on how the game pans out," Veart said.

"We know what they both can bring and if we're chasing the game or even if we're in front, it depends on what I see is the best strength to bring more success to the team."

Entering the round 19 clash, Adelaide and Western United have played only once this season - a scoreless draw in late December.

"They are a very difficult side to beat," Veart said.

"They have got a lot of experienced players so it's very difficult to come up with a game plan against them because of the way that they play.

"It's going to be a fairly exciting game. I'd say there might be a few goals in the game."

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