Ninth plays second, but one would be hard-pressed to find anything other than gleaming smiles at Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City’s respective headquarters this week.
With the news of Guilherme Finkler’s impending arrival to the New Zealand capital, the question of which side is happier remains up for debate.
For City, a push for silverware looms, buoyed by excellent wins against Brisbane and Adelaide in recent weeks. As for Ernie Merrick’s Phoenix squad, the future looks similarly bright with the recent acquisitions of Melbourne Victory duo, Kosta Barbarouses and the aforementioned Finkler.
Monday’s fixture represents a huge test for the Phoenix. Melbourne City held top spot in the A-League for the first time in the club’s history, after an impressive 3-1 win at home to Brisbane Roar last round and go into this clash as heavy favourites. However, there is an opportunity present for Monday’s visitors to spring a surprise on one of the title hopefuls.
Key battle – Roly Bonevacia vs Osama Malik
Without the presence of Aaron Mooy in a more advanced position, greater focus will fall upon Osama Malik, who has been immense City’s past two fixtures. After helping to nullify Marcelo Carrusca in the 1-0 win at Coopers Stadium, the former Adelaide United midfielder closed the space around Jamie Maclaren, ensuring the in-form Brisbane Roar striker was little more than anonymous at AAMI Park.
CrownBet match odds at time of publishing
Bonevacia’s versatility allows him to roam relatively free along the midfield and forward line in search of space. Malik’s task, which will no doubt be a collective effort in tandem with City’s defence, will be to crowd Bonevacia in advanced areas, and if he does find possession, not allow him to turn and find key passes.
Team news
For the hosts, holes will need to be plugged as central defender Alex Wilkinson and key midfielder, Aaron Mooy, will not feature due to international duty with the Socceroos.
Paolo Retre, Jason Trifiro, James Brown and Jack Clisby are back among the squad from the periphery, names that underline City’s added depth in the 2015/16 season.
While John van’t Schip bemoans international duty robbing him of two standout talents, his opposite number welcomes back star attacker, Roy Krishna.
After sustaining a foot injury in January, the signing of Hamish Watson as an injury replacement has provided some respite for a side largely lacking spark. 23-year-old defender Thomas Doyle misses out through suspension, allowing for Justin Gulley’s inclusion to the squad to face City.
Head-to-head
The ‘Nix have had the better of this fixture, winning seven of 18 previous encounters, and managing a draw six times.
The Phoenix hold an impressive away record in this fixture, which will no doubt be used as inspiration heading into this one. After losing the first two fixtures at AAMI Park, it would take City 1,514 days to win again, a record which spanned over five seasons.
Of City’s five victories against Wellington, only three have come at home. Van’t Schip’s side have recorded two landmark wins on New Zealand soil, a 5-0 thumping, the club’s biggest ever away win, and a 2-0 triumph in the first week of last season’s finals series.
Previous match
City were caught napping when these sides last met in February, trailing 2-0 after 15 barnstorming minutes from a rampant Phoenix outfit. Mooy pulled one back for the visitors to Westpac Stadium, but the underdogs remained resolute to snatch an unlikely win.
Prediction
Even without the talismanic pull of Mooy, City should still win this one with top spot in sight.
Anthony Caceres’ form off the bench last week was a welcomed boost ahead of the finals series for City, who will seriously threaten Phoenix’s defence with the guile of Bruno Fornaroli and raw speed of Harry Novillo who have combined to excellent effect of late.
Melbourne City 2 Wellington Phoenix 1
*CrownBet match odds at time of publishing are subject to change
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