Given we are 2 &1/2 weeks until the start of the season I thought it would be get some opinion from people on expected teams likely starting line-ups for R1.
It would be great to get insights from fans of their own teams, as for the most part they are the people who understand the structure of the teams, any players who are carrying niggles that may not get up etc.
.
As an Adelaide fan im pretty confident with how our lineup will look for the most part, with a few positions that are still being competed for.

Izzo
Marrone - Elsey - Regan - Garrucio
Isaias - Adlung
Matmour
Mileusevic - Blackwood - Absolonsan
Subs - Margush - Gulum/Warland - Kitto/Konstadopolous/Lia  - Baba

Izzo is the clear number 1
Gulum is injured so expect Elsey to start, but Gulum will break in 2-3 weeks in IMO. A lot of people don't like Regan for one reason or another, but he s the nailed on CB ATM for me.
Kitto was solid in the FFA cup QF, but he got dragged too high and narrow too often. Garrucio has more positional sense in the LB role, Kitto more of a LWB option. Expecting Garrucio to get first go.
Adlung I have heard passed his medical and will be announced shortly, has been training at high intensity in Germany so coming in fairly fit. Might not slot straight in with Lia starting R1, all depend how he meshes. Fact he played with Matmour previously and understanding the German & Kurz system already tells me is it is very possible he starts R1.
Matmour sitting in the AM role, possible move out to the right with Konsta coming in Central.
Preseason has shown that Blackwood is the starting striker, Baba when fit though could easily replace him.
Gulum/Warland for Defender bench position depending on injury
Kitto/Konstadopolous/Lia fighting for 2 bench spots

That is the Adelaide team I would go with. Maybe Kitto and/or Lia instead of Garuccio and/or Adlung respectively as you mentioned. 

We'll be without Milligan, Troisi and Barbarouses. 

So,

Thomas
Geria - Williams - Donachie - Broxham
Valeri - Sanchez
Ingham - George - Austin
Berisha

Nigro, Deng and the youth team boys will be in the mix. Expecting Theoharous, Hope or McGilp to be considered.

Probably no Ingham either. New Zealand call up.

True, forgot that.

In that case you may see  a flat 3 in midfield, or Valeri operating behind Sanchez and Nigro. Something like this perhaps:

Thomas
Geria - Williams - Donachie - Broxham
Valeri - Sanchez - Nigro
George- Berisha - Austin

Hopefully though, Theoharous gets a start on the wing and replaces Ingham.

So 3 (maybe 4) out vs SFC at full strenght?
There is a challenge to start the season.

Yup! We'll need a miracle. They look stronger than last season.

whats your first pick 11?

Thomas
Geria - Williams - Donachie - x
Valeri - Milligan
Barbarouses - Troisi - George
Berisha


Left back signing still to come, however likely to be filled by Broxham or Nigro if we haven't signed anyone by R1. 
This would mean new signing Sanchez would be on the bench.

That would be mine also.
I wouldn't mind Nigro at lb full time though, he is more than capable.

Fantastic midfield. Rubbish defense

agree,  it's a good looking team, but that back line looks second string at best.

If Williams can find something close to his best, a big IF, and they sign a good LB then their defence will be okay. If Williams sucks and the LB situation is not solved then it will be a real weakness. Having Valeri and Milligan ahead of the defence is a big positive for the team and should help the defence out. However if Milligan is forced to play CB then that is partially lost as well. A couple of injuries to defenders is going to cause lots of trouble as well given the lack of backup besides Deng.

If Millsy goes back, Sanchez slips straight in.. We've got a very solid midfield this season. Ange might just be whispering in Kevs ear to play Millsy back during games leading up into WCQs..

All signs point to

Redmayne
Wilkshire Buijs Wilkinson Zullo
O'Neill Brillante
Adrian Brosque Ninkovic
Bobo

Bench: Cisak, Ryall, Retre, Carney, Simon

Unless anyone gets injured. 

Redmayne ahead of Cisak?

Aloisi may pull a fast one and rest new signings until Christmas but, assuming Avraam, Holman and FBK pull up okay, I think JA will be going:

Theo;
Hingert, Avraam, DeVere;
Bautheau, Mckay, Kristensen, Brown;
Holman, Maccarone;
Skapetis;

Bench: Young, Caletti, North, FBK, Oxborrow;

Comments on average age and height by reply please ...

Or if Roar go 433 something like:

Theo
Hingert Devere North Brown
Kristensen
Holman McKay
Skapetis Bauetheac
Maccarone

Bench: Young, Avraam, Oxborrow, FBK/Gameiro, D'Agostino

Redmaynes played every preseason game and hasnt dont anything to really warrant getting dropped. Cisak hasnt played a minute of preseason yet (unless he played in the behind closed doors roar game).

I thought Cisak has been injured and would return to start when fit. So he would either play or not be in the team at all.

Cisak played in the behind doors game from all reports, but it was a second string team. I think Redmayne will get the first shot, but Cisak is arguably a better keeper and is likely to get a chance at some point.

Jerks:

--------------------Duncan------------------------------
Hoffman--Boogaard--ToporStanley--Georgievski
-------------Kantarovski---Ugarkovic------------------
Petratos------------Vargas-------------------Nabbout
---------------------O'Donovan--------------------------

Subs: Moss, Vujica, Jackson, Cowburn, Brown, Shabow, Clut

No Kotroumbis?  I would much rather him over Kanta although by some reports he has played quite well this pre-season.  Johnny K can also play in the defense.  Clut looks like he is going to be doing sweet f all once again judging by the pre-season.

Kanta has been an ever-present under Merrick.

So has vujica at left back

Correct. The main point of difference in my proposed lineup is maybe Hoffman to bench, Georgie to RB, and Vujica to LB. 

And maybe if Vargas isn't up to starting, having Petratos at #10 (or maybe Brown) and putting a younger guy (Champness or Shabow) out wide if Petratos is moved in. 

Here's mine, maybe not the coaches formation
 =====================Glover ==================
Storm ====== Baro ======McGing ======Rowles =====
======= Hairiej ============= Brama ==============
Hoole ========= De Silva ====== Pain===============
============ Asdrubal ==================

I would agree with that apart from probably McGing and Rowles, would say Golec and Rose would be more likely to start. As for our bench I would say Kennedy, Bingham, Appiah/Buhagiar, McGing, Rowles. 

Not going to argue too much with that, though Okon does seem to have a bit of Berry love as a sub. I am thinking Bingham might get to sit out the first one altogether.

Glory:
--------------------Reddy------------------------------
Neville--------Lowry----Grant-----------------Mills
-------------Wilson---Torres------------------
Harold------------Brimmer-------------------Castro
---------------------Keogh--------------------------
Subs: Feely, Chianese, Taggart, Warren, Poscoliero

Probably close to the mark.
Got a 3rd Spaniard to fit in somewhere too I think, although Wilson and Brimmer seem to have done ok pre-season so far.

Oops, forgot about Andreu.  :blush:

That being the case:

--------------------Reddy------------------------------
Neville--------Lowry----Grant-----------------Mills
-------------Wilson---Torres------------------
Harold------------Andreu-------------------Castro
---------------------Keogh--------------------------
Subs: Feely, Chianese, Taggart, Warren, Poscoliero, Brimmer

Not too sure how many subs we have on the bench this season. 

Andreau is a defensive midfielder not a number 10, if anything it will be torres and him sitting in midfield and perhaps Taggart playing behind Keogh

Am sure they'll all be getting a shot at some stage.
May still be hard to gauge exactly how well they're all performing just yet.
Following our demise to Heidelberg, we've fronted the might of Cockburn, Inglewood, Perth and the State team.
Unlike most other teams, it seems like our first A League opposition will only be encountered in Round 1.
The stand out pre-season player from most reports (although always pretty glossy coming from Glory) has been Nicholls, and one assumes he's got to slot straight into the middle as well in Week 4?

Well there you go, we've sneaked off and played Sideney yesterday, 3 to 2 to Sydney.
1st goal scorer for Glory ........ MARC WARREN

IMO.

Adelaide - strengthened heaps
Brisbane - level
Ccm - strengthened heaps
City - level - but loss of fornaroli means they are worse
Victory - level
Sydney - level
Jets - strengthened heaps
Wsw - strengthened heaps
Wellington - level
Perth - strengthened

Think this could be one of the closest tables yet.

The top 2/3 have stayed similar but are competing in acl. With the exception of maybe Wellington (barbarouses and bonavacia were 2 of their best) have all drastically improved and should lift the bottom. Actually think jets and ccm have quite good squads on paper and both to push for finals hopefully.

Still don't think Wellington line up looks bad, excited for the season ahead.

City to miss finals. Victory to struggle unless they can keep a full squad healthy.

Brisbane are significantly weaker. Lost their best player and lost their only goal scorer. They'll probably still do ok but I really hope they suck. Would love nothing more than for them to get the wooden. Didn't even offer Broich a contract...disgrace. 

Glory has a "square peg round hole" problem until Nicholls comes back in round 4.

Not sure Taggart can slot in behind Keogh, probably swap Andreu and Wilson.  Dare say they will be a bit of that during the game anyway.

City :

                                 Galekovic
Muscat       Schenkeveld      Jakobsen   Jamieson
                     Brattan              Kilkenny
                                 Budzinski
Fitzgerald           Mauk/Bruno Inj Rep      Kamau

SUBS Bouzanis Carrusca La Rocca Arzani Crowley

Cahill away on Socceroos duty. Fernando Brandan a sneaky chance to make the bench maybe.

How long is Fornaroli out for?

Until December/Jan apparently. Best XI with a full squad is prob
                                Galekovic
Muscat       Schenkeveld      Jakobsen   Jamieson
                     Brattan              Kilkenny
                                 Budzinski
Fitzgerald                 Fornaroli      Brandan
SUBS Bouzanis Carrusca La Rocca Cahill Mauk
OMIT : Kamau, Malik, Tongyik, Arzani, Crowley

we've got a marquee injury replacement #9 and a RB coming in.

but i would go with:
                            Galekovic
Pierias       Schenkeveld      Jakobsen    Jamieson
                     Brattan             Mauk
                                Budzinski
Fitzgerald                Cahill                Brandan/Kamau

Joyce saying they may not bring an injury replacement in and play Cahill and kids instead:

http://dailyfootballshow.com/warren-joyce-bruno-fornaroli-replacement-not-a-guarantee-302/

im alright with this.  we have crowley.  and more importantly we have cahill.  im sure he can handle starting and doing 60 each game.  

@ bundarah brah

I think it's the right call, especially with Cahill on hand. Fornarolli is not an easy guy to replace but going with what you know might be the easier place to start.

like him or hate him - most people want to see cahill play as much as possible this year.  most likely the last season of one of the greatest footballers australia will ever produce.

Kenny won't change. 

              Keogh Taggart
Castro  Andreu Xavi     Harold
Mills  Grant  Lowry       Neville. 

Hopefully Kenny will put faith in Brimmer and actually play him as the AM next to Xavi in the first game. Castro - Nichols - Xavi- Harold will be his preferred midfield. I would like to see hotrod's formation though. Really hope Brimmer does well, would love to see a young number 10 doing well for us. Also hope Wilson does well enough to keep Andreu on the bench. Don't know who i'd go with between Keogh and Taggart in a 433. 

                 

I've got no idea what our starting lineup will be like, half of what I expect our first team to be are recovering from injuries and are only getting twenty minutes here and there in the preseason.

Italiano
Galloway - Rossi - Mullen/Dura - Doyle
Paracki - McGlinchey
Krishna - Finkler - Vidosic
Kaluderovic

Subs: Sail, Abbas, Fox, Watson, Singh

That's an interesting line up, is McGlinchey really capable of playing as a defensive midfielder? 

More of a CM tbh.

Hasn't got the pace anymore to justify a wing spot.

If I'm being honest, he may get some serious competition from Abbas and spend some time on the bench

So with Squads out does anyone think their lineups have changed?
I still think Adelaide lines up as

Izzo
Marrone - Elsey - Regan - Garrucio
Isaias - Adlung
Matmour
Mileusevic - Blackwood - Absolonsan
Subs - Margush - Gulum (If fit) /Warland (If Gulum Not) - Kitto - Konstadopolous - Baba

4231 for Roar:

Theo
Hingert Devere Avraam Brown
McKay, Caletti,
Skapetis, Holman, FBK;
Maccarone

Bench: Young, North, Oxborrow, D'Aggers, Akbari

He might though swap Oxborrow for Caletti - Oxborrow has had a good preseason

Also hearing that Wellington is set to give Keegan Smith a start as keeper vs Adelaide. Not sure if that is true.

----------Taggart Keogh
Castro Brimmer Torres  Harold
Mills --Grant-- Lowry ---Neville

Hope Brimmer does enough to keep Nichols out. Would also like to see more of Wilson...wouldn't mind seeing us go to a 433 if Taggart or Keogh don't perform with Wilson and Torres playing DMs. 

No Andreu??

A bit of a waste of money.

I would have thought him for Brimmer.

Have Brimmer, Wilson, Chianese and say Knowles on the bench.  When Nichols is back I expect one of the central MF to drop to the bench, which then becomes a waste of money, unless Lowe is playing one up front and slotting Nichols in behind Keogh when he is available.

I hope Nichols and Andreu stay out of the line up and Wilson and Brimmer have break out seasons. 

I expect Andreu and Xavi to be the midfielders and start this weekend though. But am sick of seeing a back line of 6 with 4 up front. 

Andreu wouldn't be on much though.

Well, maybe not a waste of money, but a waste of a visa player to have him on the bench.  Visa players need to be starters, otherwise it's a bit of a waste paying extra for a benchwarmer.

No real clues - as always - with the naming of our match day squad.
Nicholls suspended, Stynes out for 2 or 3 months with a hammy, and the other 18 of our 20 man squad named.

For WSW it looks like it'll be:

Hammil - Cornflakes - Thwaite - Llorente
                      Herd - Baccus
 Cejudo    -           Roly           -     Bridge
                            Riera

Possibly Llorente could play LW with Bridge being benched and Clisby coming in as LB. Not sure who will be first choice out of Aspro and Thwaite once Aspro comes back. Also Risdon coming in at right back will be a big improvement on Hammil.

Wellington Phoenix line up:

               Smith

Galloway - Mullen - Fox - Abbas 

Paracki       -    Ridenton 

Krishna - Finkler - Vidosic 

          Kaludjerovic

Looks about right. How disappointing has Rossi been this off season? Last year he was mega but he seems to have lost a bit of speed and is frustrated because of it. Also he's had a kid so maybe his mind is elsewhere. Still, I think he should start ahead of Fox or Mullen.

What's going to be interesting is how the team lines up when the international window is over and the All Whites are back. Do they automatically slot in? This is the season for players lik Ridenton, Rufer, and Singh to really step up. Finkler should be a bench warmer by mid season, it looks like Ridenton has the set pieces sorted and Singh has the play makers role.

While everyone is typically writing the Phoenix off it's good that there's competition across the pitch for the starting position.

Any thoughts on how Sydney will line up?

Probably

Redmayne
Wilkshire-Bujis-Wilkinson-Zullo
Brillante-Oneil
Polish dude- Brosque-Ninkovic
Bobo

lol we're gonna get slaughtered 

Polish dude may be one of the best imports the league has seen. Lookibg foward to seeing him and Vargas from the jerks the most this round.

I think the Spanish imports from Perth Glory (Xavi Torres) and WSW (Cejudo, Riera) are very impressive too, they all look to be a class above nearly everyone else from previous years. As a neutral these imports are helping to hold my interest in an otherwise stagnant competition.