Adelaide United will look to end their winless run as they make the trip across the ditch to take on a Wellington side who are in dire need of home comforts.
The Phoenix will play their first game at the ‘Cake Tin’ since the well publicised FFA licensing extension rejection two weeks ago.
United are bottom of the A-League table after a stuttering start and are only team yet to record a win this 2015-16 season. Last week’s disappointing 4-2 home loss to Melbourne City has left the South Australians with plenty to improve, as their two points and -7 goal difference after five games reveals a team that has just not gotten started. The players need to step up if they are to have any hope of satisfying their fans who are desperate for a win and to ease the pressure on new coach Guillermo Amor.
The Phoenix are looking for a bumper home crowd at Westpac stadium as they return to the Windy City following a tricky away schedule that saw them easily dispatched by the Melbourne Victory 3-0 at the Etihad, before being outplayed once again in an open 1-1 draw with the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
The #SavetheNix campaign continues to roll as license-extension discussions between the club owners and the FFA also continue. FFA CEO David Gallop and Chairman Frank Lowry met Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison in Sydney to progress talks, with a statement from the governing body reading, “the FFA expects the club to come back with firm proposals in the near future” and “there are on-going discussions with NZ broadcasters, which the Phoenix have agreed to continue, while the need to expand interest in and the identity of the club across all of New Zealand not just Wellington was also raised”.
The Yellow Fever has done an excellent job so far at drumming up support for New Zealand’s only professional side and they have overseen a record number of memberships, surpassing last season’s record to soar pass 4,400 members so far. Another campaign – #scarfwellington – was set up and the club’s supporters have been going all out to let people know the Phoenix are playing on Friday night. The Yellow Fever ‘scarf-bombed’ the city this past Sunday to further show their dedication and raise awareness.
Key Battle – Roly Bonevacia v Marcelo Carrusca
Both players can be highly influential game-changers if required, but also have a habit of going missing or fading as the game wears on. Two midfield dynamos with superb technical ability, each will be required to be the chief provider for their sides in this clash. Bonevacia, in particular, will need to produce on this night after failing to fire against the Mariners. His influence will need to be felt, especially in the absence of league leading chance creator Michael McGlinchey, who will be on International duty with the New Zealand All Whites against Oman.
[interaction id=”564358be737e4fee1d8f0568″]
Team News
Due to the International break, the Phoenix will be without defenders Thomas Doyle and Louis Fenton, midfielders McGlinchey and Alex Rufer, and striker Logan Rogerson will also miss out on making his first start for the Nix following a solid Under 20 world cup.
Phoenix (4-2-2-2): Moss, Gulley, Durante, Sigmund, Muscat, Riera, Rodriguez, Bonevacia, Ridenton, Sarpong, Krishna.
Adelaide should have the full compliment of players to choose from, and I expect coach Amor will stick with the same side to the one that scored two goals against Melbourne City in round 5.
Adelaide (4-3-3): Hall, Elrich, McGowan, Malik, Goodwin, Jeggo, Isaias, Carrusco, Dugandzic, Djite, Ciro.
Head-to-Head
Adelaide United has had the better of past meetings against the Phoenix. In 25 games previous to Friday night’s clash, the Reds have won 12 and lost only seven, with six games finishing level.
Previous Meeting
The Phoenix has prevailed in the most recent matches between the sides, but it was their home victory and latest meeting in 2014-15 that had the most significance. A 2-0 win, which was played on the Hutt Recreation Ground (due to the Under-20 World Cup taking place at the Ring of Fire) ensured that Ernie Merrick’s men summited the A-League for the first time ever.
Intriguingly, both goal scorers for Wellington on that day have since left the club, with Socceroo Nathan Burns heading to FC Tokyo in Japan and Joel Griffiths released in preseason.
Prediction
Adelaide have struggled this season and the Phoenix will have a point to prove at Westpac in front of the Yellow Fever and home crowd faithful. Expect United’s unfortunate sequence of losses to continue for now.
Wellington Phoenix 3 Adelaide United 1
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
