Last year's corresponding fixture was the only time The Reds triumphed over their eastern border rivals from seven encounters throughout the 2008/09 campaign, and they will be keen to put in a solid performance ahead of their  A-League season opener against Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium on August 7.

 "We want to go there and win, there's no question about that. If we can do that great, if not we can't be hard on ourselves, there's a very long season we have to look forward to and I think the wheel has turned full circle, in the first couple of years they couldn't beat us and certainly last year they gave us a few good lessons so you just don't know what will happen this year," Vidmar said.

Just a fortnight out from the start of the A-League 2009/10 Season, Sunday's game will be United's final hit out against A-League opposition before the season proper and Coach Aurelio Vidmar knows there will be no better preparation than facing the reigning A-League champions.

"It will give us a fair indication of where we are and what areas we'll need to improve in so I'm happy that we've actually got another solid game against A-League opposition," Vidmar said.

In what has become an annual fixture between the two A-League heavyweights in the Apple Isle, the match will be the fourth time the teams have met at Aurora Stadium, The Reds unbeaten against Melbourne at the venue, having registered two wins and a draw dating back to 2006.

It will be the first time the two sides have locked horns since last season's A-League Grand Final, and while Vidmar will be hoping The Reds can add some silverware to the cabinet in 2009/10, he says his team is not getting caught up with their expectations heading into the season.

"There is pressure going into every year," Vidmar said.

"We're not going to put any added pressure on, we know what we need to achieve. Certainly it is going to be an extremely difficult challenge but at this point of time everyone is really positive, the spirit amongst the playing group is excellent and after a long pre season I think they're itching to get out and play some serious games."

Vidmar still has limited numbers to select from for the match against the Victory, with five players of The Reds' 20 man squad staying in Adelaide to continue recovery from illness and minor injury concerns.

"At this point of time what we see is that the team that comes out on Sunday will be pretty close, maybe with one or two other additions, to the squad for the first round because a few of the boys that are still injured have got a number of weeks before they return," Vidmar said.

Conversely, Melbourne takes a strong squad into the match that includes 12 of its 2008/09 championship winning side, Captain Kevin Muscat, striker Archie Thompson and Costa Rican midfielder Carlos Hernandez.

But Vidmar is confident his team can take it up to Melbourne and says his squad looks forward to returning to the regional Tasmanian centre.

"We love it (going to play in Launceston). It's a great spot, the surface is always in great condition so we're really looking forward to it."