Melbourne City will continue their quest for a top two spot as they head to New Zealand for a tricky encounter with Wellington Phoenix.
Expect anything
Wellington’s meetings against Melbourne City have been unpredictable to say the least. In 17 matches Phoenix have won six to City’s five, although the last time out was a convincing 3-1 victory for City at home. Despite sitting in fourth position, City have been extremely inconsistent for the lofty standards and quality they possess in their squad. The same can be said for Wellington, who can be scintillating one week and then porous the next. It all equates to an unpredictable game.
Wellington’s unconvincing defence
Last weekend’s loss to Newcastle Jets epitomised Wellington’s problems at the back. Despite scoring first, the Phoenix blew their in dismal fashion and suffered a third loss to the Jets this campaign. With a negative goal difference of 10, and having conceding an average of more than one goal a game on home soil, Wellington’s defence is vulnerable when put under pressure from the outset. City have built a formidable attack and will seek an early route to goal that could all but kill the contest. The Phoenix must weather a potential storm from their counterparts, defend as a unit and grow in confidence as the game wears on.
Can City capitalise on favourable fixtures?
City enter this match with an opportunity to top the table at full-time – can there be a bigger incentive? All season long they have dazzled the A-League and with a set of favourable fixtures it’s an opportune time for City to reassert their title credentials. One must be cautious though, because every time inch columns are dedicated to a potential Premiers tilt, they seem to disappoint and lack the mettle needed to grind out results that on paper should be a formality. Another potential banana skin against the Phoenix will give pundits and fans alike a chance to analyse City’s mental capacity yet again.
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