Western United host Adelaide United on Monday as last season's semi-finalists get the new A-League season underway.
The Australian top flight is back after a four-month absence, and this opening encounter should be an entertaining one.
Match preview
Mark Rudan's men finished fifth in 2019-20, qualifying for the final series after collecting 39 points from their 26 league games.
Western United progressed to the semi-finals of the competition after former West Ham midfielder Alessandro Diamanti fired them past Brisbane Roar, but they fell to Melbourne City in the final four.
Diamanti lit up the A-League last season with eight goals and seven assists in his 27 appearances, despite being 37 years old.
The flamboyant playmaker made Western United's maiden campaign as a club a memorable one, and the Green and Blacks will be hopeful of going one better this time around.
Adelaide appointed Carl Veart ahead of the new campaign, and the Australian head coach has overseen a huge overhaul at the club.
Eleven new faces have entered the club, with eight going in the opposite direction as Veart attempts to improve on their seventh-placed finish in 2019-20.
The Crows ended up just one point and one place outside of the final series places as the Toure brothers, Mohamed and Al Hassan, caught the eye with their skilful performances.
Addressing the problems at the back will have been the biggest priority for Adelaide over the summer after shipping 49 goals last season, which was the second-worst defensive record in the division.
Team News
Rudan has kept the majority of his squad together over the extended break, and the Australian boss will be hoping his two additions can help him build on his impressive debut campaign at the club.
Former Melbourne City winger Lachlan Wales has joined on a free as well as former Barcelona man Victor Sanchez.
Western United have no injuries or suspensions coming into the first game of the new season, so should name a full-strength side.
Adelaide strengthened their spine in the summer, with 34-year-old midfielder Javi Lopez joining after a 15-year long career in Spanish football.
He is joined by former Socceroos forward Tomi Juric and ex-Schalke defender George Timotheou at the Adelaide Oval, with the trio expected to play a big part from the off.
Western United possible starting lineup:
Kurto; Calver, Uskok, Dillon; Pain, Pasquali, Skotadis, Risdon; Diamanti, Sanchez; Duzel
Adelaide United possible starting lineup:
Delianov; Strain, Timotheou, Marrone, Smith; Mauk, Konstandopoulos, Caletti; Toure, Juric, Halloran
We say: Western United 3-2 Adelaide United
A-League games are usually full of goals, especially when Adelaide are involved, and this one will likely be the same. After such a long time out over the summer, both sides will be below par, but that could make for an interesting encounter. Western United are the favourites coming into this clash, and their squad continuity should see them edge this opening day fixture.
