Outside90’s Breanna Holden breaks down the key aspects in tonight’s meeting between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory.
Save the Nix vs active fan boycotts
Unfortunately for the FFA, two key issues off the field have been the biggest talking points this season – the campaign to #SaveTheNix and more recently, fan discontent with the governing body’s banning and appeals process. This weekend the two combine. With Wellington desperately needing fans to turn up in numbers in order to help secure the club’s future, the Yellow Fever will certainly be conflicted, do they head to Auckland and support their team, or stay at home and join the boycott? Whichever way they go, the atmosphere will likely play a key role in helping the Nix break their winless run.
Melbourne’s incredible record over Wellington
The Victory have completely dominated this fixture since Wellington’s inception, with the Kiwi outfit picking up just four wins in their 25 encounters and a mere two in the last 13. While the home side have held Melbourne to mixed results across the ditch, picking up an impressive 5-0 win back in 2014, Saturday afternoon’s clash is to be held in Auckland and not in the Nix’s Westpac fortress. With Victory’s recent form seeing them effortlessly bag wins, even with depleted resources, Phoenix will certainly be in for a tough 90 minutes should they look to amend their record against the reigning Champions.
Wellington’s defence
Wellington have been impressive up front this season, largely thanks to the tireless efforts of Michael McGlinchey and Roly Bonevacia’s keen eye for goal, but the same cannot be said of the New Zealand side’s defence. A key issue all season, the Nix picked up a clean sheet last round only thanks to the poor attacking display of Sydney FC, and have been fragile at the best of times all campaign. Having shipped three goals to Melbourne in their first meeting, this season Phoenix’s defence must step up, or they will pay the price once again against the rampant league leaders.
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