Original Rivalry: Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory, by the numbers

The blood is already beginning to boil in the City of Churches for Adelaide United’s hugely-anticipated meeting with Melbourne Victory.

This Hyundai A-League clash is always a fiery one, and Friday evening’s fourth-against-third face off is sure to be no different.

And to preview the big match, we’re bringing you the Original Rivalry stats that matter.

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Tempers can often flare when it's Victory v Adelaide
Tempers can often flare when it's Victory v Adelaide

Head to head - the all-time record in the Hyundai A-League

They conceded bragging rights last time out but Victory comfortably have the historical edge over their Adelaide rivals.

Melbourne have amassed 25 wins in the 48 matches played between the two sides compared to Adelaide’s 13.

They’ve also dominated the lion’s share of goals, netting 79 to Adelaide’s 53 overall.

And, impressively, Kevin Muscat’s men have only scored two fewer strikes than the Reds in Adelaide, scoring 26 to their opponent's 28.

 

Played

ADL Wins

Draws

MVC Wins

ADL Goals

MVC Goals

Overall

48

13

10

25

53

79

in Adelaide

21

8

7

6

28

26

 

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Players who have featured most in the Original Rivalry

The name of Archie Thompson still sends a shiver down the spine of many a Reds fan. 

Thompson famously scored five goals when these two teams faced off in the 2007 Grand Final - a 6-0 win for Victory - and the striker is the all-time appearance holder in the fixture.

However, the ex-Caltex Socceroo could be joined on 32 appearances should Victory stalwart Leigh Broxham (31) feature on the weekend.

Legendary Adelaide United and current Melbourne City goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic has played in 27 meetings, with 26 of those for Adelaide, and one for Melbourne.

Former Victory defender Adrian Leijer is next on 24, edging ex-Adelaide star Travis Dodd’s 23. Michael Marrone, also in line to grace the pitch for the Reds on Friday, has made 17 Original Rivalry appearances.

Player

Games

Archie Thompson

32

Leigh Broxham

31

Eugene Galekovic

27

Adrian Leijer

24

Travis Dodd

23

Grant Brebner

22

Rodrigo Vargas

22

Kevin Muscat

21

Daniel Allsopp

19

Michael Marrone

17

Robbie Cornthwaite

17

The heavens and floodgates opened for Archie Thompson in the 2007 Grand Final

Grand Final haul sees Thompson at top-scorers summit

Thompson's 2007 Grand Final antics are iconic, and it is no surprise to see he forward top the all-time scorers list with 13 strikes in total from his 32 games against the Reds.

Travis Dodd made a career of scoring important goals from midfield and seven of his career efforts arrived in the Original Rivalry. That tally is matched by current Victory boss Kevin Muscat and prolific ex-Hyundai A-League marksman Besart Berisha.

Berisha’s last goal against the Reds was that famous overhead kick in the 2017/18 semi final in Melbourne.

Player

Games

Goals

Archie Thompson

32

13

Travis Dodd

23

7

Kevin Muscat

21

7

Besart Berisha

13

7

Sergio Cirio

11

5

Daniel Allsopp

19

4

Marco Rojas

8

4

Serginho

5

4

Marcelo Carrusca

12

3

Carlos Hernandez

17

3

Besart Berisha's last goal against Adelaide United was a beauty
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The bad boys

It won't come as a surprise to many Hyundai A-League fans that former Victory captain and now manager Kevin Muscat is on top of the list for yellow cards in this heated fixture.

Those same fans may be surprised at the identity of the man who shares the 'honour' with him: one Traek Elrich.

In fact, the former Red picked up an equal eight cautions but in almost half the time, 11 games compared to Muscat's 21.

A yellow for Leigh Broxham on Friday night would mean it's a three-way tie next time these two meet.

Player

Games

Yellow Cards

Kevin Muscat

21

8

Tarek Elrich

11

8

Leigh Broxham

31

7

Adrian Leijer

24

7

Isaias

16

6

Travis Dodd

23

5

Michael Marrone

17

5

Nigel Boogaard

10

5

Kevin Muscat
Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat

The Original Rivalry game-changers

Isaias will almost certainly retire a Reds legend when he does eventually decide to hang up the boots and his legacy in this fixture is clear to see.

In 16 games against Victory, the Spaniard has created 25 chances, five better than compatriot Sergio Cirio.

The closest current player at either club is Victory's James Troisi with 17 chances in 11 matches.

Player

Games

Chances Created

Isaias

16

25

Sergio Cirio

11

20

Gui Finkler

11

19

Marcelo Carrusca

12

18

James Troisi

11

17

Kosta Barbarouses

13

14

Ben Garuccio

7

14

Isaias
Key: Adelaide United's Isaias
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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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