Gombau promises a few surprises for Wanderers

Adelaide United is planning surprises for Western Sydney Wanderers in their Round 26 match on Saturday Reds coach Josep Gombau said.

Adelaide United boss Josep Gombau has a few tricks up his sleeve for the Wanderers. (Getty) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

With third-placed United still coveting a top two spot, Gombau says it's time for some tactical and personnel tweaks for the Wanderers match.

"Last week some things don't work and as a coach you want to try to improve," Gombau said.

"We are making some changes. Tomorrow the people will see, it's not something that I want to expose here and let everybody know."

Gombau's Adelaide blew a chance to steal into second when defeated by Brisbane Roar last Saturday, the Reds remaining a point shy of second-placed Sydney.

Gombau was pragmatic about second spot being out of Adelaide's hands.

"Our job is to try and win these last two games and see what happens in those other games," he said.

"We have this mentality ... this is our aim, our objective."

But the Spaniard said meeting the Wanderers on their home turf was always a tricky prospect.

Western Sydney's miserable domestic campaign, featuring just three wins, is coming to an end with consecutive home games.

Gombau said while the Wanderers might be primed for their ongoing AFC Champions League (ACL) title defence, their playing pride would demand a win.

"As a coach, as a player, you want to win every single game," Gombau said.

"In this year in the A-League they are not getting the result but they are in a good position in the Asian Champions League."

United was again unable to summon playmakers Marcelo Carrusca (thigh) and Awer Mabil (groin).

Gombau said Carrusca was a certain starter in the league's last round next weekend, but Mabil's outlook was uncertain.

Wanderers veteran Mark Bridge is set to become just the ninth man to play 200 A-League games.