Credit: Adam Butler

Last time Sydney FC and the Lady Reds met in Round 10 the Sky Blues escaped miraculously with 3 points via a last gasp 2-1 win.

Sydney conceded a goal to Adelaide captain Kirsty Moore when she went on a bursting run however it was a scramble winner from Amy Harrison that had mouths agape.

The Reds holding Sydney FC for 90 minutes proved not enough as they lost the game in the final minute of injury time; the story of their season.

However who will lead and who will follow in Season 7 of the Westfield W-league has never been so difficult to predict.

[More: Download our Season 7 Guide]

A better prepared Lady Reds outfit now face a watered down Sydney FC giving them an opportunity to earn their first ever defeat of the Sky Blues.

Adelaide's top goalscorer last season Moore will again be looking to push the boundaries and knock the pedigree tag from Sydney FC.

Lady Reds goalkeeper, the respected Melissa Barbieri, was the Goalkeeper of the Year last season and a good year could see her wearing green and gold in Canada next year so everything is on the line.

Lisa Marie Woods will be looking to pair with striker Tiarn Powell and the impressive Emily Condon to create a more attacking fluid style.

Danish defensive midfielder Katrine Pedersen and new youngster Alexandra Chidiac will also feature heavily as Reds find themselves in a tough Round 1 away fixture.

Key players for Sydney will be the usual suspects of the Sky Blue midfielders Teresa Polias and Nicola Bolger and the strikeforce headed by Chloe Logarzo.

This game will also see Chicago Red Stars defender Samantha Johnson and Western NY Flash striker Jasmyne Spencer make their W-league debuts.

Last season saw Sydney FC narrowly miss a Premiership while an improved Reds still unable to crack into the final four.

Will this be the year Adelaide United secure a finals berth?

The Reds were a defensive powerhouse last year but struggled to put the ball in the net. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Sydney FC set a new goalscoring W-league record.

The Lady Reds have lost goalpoacher Racheal Quigley to Melbourne Victory but Sydney FC have lost half their attacking midfield.

The Reds are no longer an easy 3 points but Sydney FC remain a sharp organised squad.

With Reds Coach Ross Aloisi matching up against interim Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, expect a hotly contested and riveting opening round. Sky Blue faces could be turning red as the balance of power in this league is shifting.

Sydney FC v Adelaide United

Sunday 14 September 2014

Lambert Park, Sydney

Local kick-off: 4pm

Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont, Elizabeth Ralston, Olivia Price, Heidi Makrillos, Trudy Camilleri, Alyssa Harris, Renee Rollason, Servet Uzunlar, Samantha Johnson, Teigen Allen, TeresaPolias, Natalie Tobin, Nicola Bolger, Jasmyne Spencer, Amy Harrison, Chloe Logarzo.

Unavailable:  Kyah Simon (knee), Ellyse Perry (injury – one week), Alesha Clifford (injury – one week)

Adelaide United squad: Melissa Barbieri (gk), Lauren Steer, Dylan Holmes, Katrine Pedersen, Emily Condon, Lisa-Marie Woods, Isabel Hodgson, Daila Borg, Rachel Alonso, Jenna McCormick, Katie Holtham, Tiarn Powell, Georgia Campagnale, Sarah Willacy, Kristy Moore (C)

Unavailable: none