Western Sydney Wanderers face a golden opportunity to maintain their position on top of the A-League table on Sunday when they host struggling Wellington Phoenix at Parramatta Stadium.
Hot on the heels of a spectacular 1-1 escape against reigning champions Melbourne Victory, the men from Sydney’s west are white-hot favourites against a depleted Phoenix side that sits second last on the table and finds itself winless in its previous nine matches, including last week’s timid 1-0 home defeat to Perth Glory.
Last week’s clash in Melbourne was yet another blockbuster featuring the Sydneysiders, who, despite going behind to an early strike to Besart Berisha, dominated the home side with panache and an uncanny ability to create opportunities. Unfortunately for the Wanderers faithful, it was not until super-sub Brendon Santalab entered the fray and blasted home a spectacular 89th-minute equaliser that the fruits of the Wanderers’ labours were rewarded. Such was the Wanderers’ dominance, the scoreline certainly flattered a Victory side that should consider itself fortunate not to have been on the receiving end of a hefty defeat.
But despite their outright favouritism, the Wanderers will have to adapt to the absence of its influential Spanish trio of Andreu (hamstring injury), and Dimas and Alberto, suspended for one and two matches respectively. Likely replacements include Kearyn Baccus, Jacob Pepper and Jonathan Aspropotamitis.
The Spaniards’ absence and a possible air of complacency among the Wanderers’ ranks could be just the half-chance the Phoenix need, offering the likes of the crafty Roly Bonevacia and Michael McGlinchey an opportunity to cause some discomfort to the Wanderers’ midfield. But even if the Kiwi outfit is able to gain some leverage in the middle of the park, its goalscoring record is woeful and reflected by the fact that it has not managed more than one goal a game since October last year.
Tony Popovic’s men, on the other hand, have been in scintillating form and while they too have not made the most of their opportunities up front, they remain firm favourites to win this match comfortably and to continue their merry way to the title.
Key Battle – Mark Bridge vs Andrew Durante
After a slow start to the season, the evergreen Mark Bridge has been in remarkable form, becoming the Wanderers’ go-to man with a penchant to score goals. Indeed, if it was not for Bridge, the Phoenix would be unbeaten at Parramatta; the Wanderers centurion netted a second of two penalties in round 24 of the 2012-13 season and clinched a 2-1 win over Wellington courtesy of a late winner in round seven of the current campaign.
But that is not all. Bridge has also scored eight times against the Phoenix in 21 games, his best goals-per-game ratio against any single A-League club.
Meanwhile, Durante has been the skipper of the Phoenix since he arrived in Wellington in 2008. And if ever a player has led by example on and off the field, it is the former Australian hard man. Durante rarely misses a game and has made almost 200 appearances for the club, a tally bettered by just two players in the entire history of the competition.
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The hallmarks of Durante’s game are his toughness, perfectly-timed tackles, last-ditch interventions, excellent aerial ability and legendary consistency; he basically never misses a game. The match-up between Durante and Bridge is sure to be a willing one and a highlight of this Sunday’s game.
Team News
Tony Popovic has some decisions to make, especially with the absence of all three of his Spanish imports for this clash. Meanwhile, striker and crowd favourite Brendon Santalab has been rewarded for his sensational form with a new two-year extension at the club. The 33-year-old, who joined Western Sydney in 2013, will remain at Parramatta until the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
The man known as “Santa” has this season grabbed five goals in 12 appearances, including in his last three games the winners against Central Coast and Melbourne City, and a spectacular equaliser against Melbourne Victory last week.
“I’m delighted to have re-signed for a further two years with the best club in Australian football,” Santalab said.
“The club is still very young and has an incredibly bright future and I look forward to much more success in the red and black.
“Tony Popovic, my teammates, our passionate fans and the club as a whole have put me in a position to improve myself as a player and a person every day, it was a very easy decision to stay at the Wanderers and I’m honoured to be given this contract.”
Alex Rodriguez joins fellow defensive midfielder Vince Lia on the sidelines with a knee injury, but Rodriguez’s absence is offset by Albert Riera’s return from suspension.
Birmingham City loan signing Alex Jones’ chances to play against Western Sydney have been dashed due to paperwork problems, meaning that Hamish Watson, signed to a short-term deal during the week, will be in the selection mix. A bruising toiler with a solid work ethic, Watson is not afraid to shoot when he gets a sight of goal, but it would be pure folly to think he could come out of the Kiwi national league and radically improve the Phoenix’s fortunes against the league leaders.
The Phoenix were dreadful in last Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Perth Glory, with just one opening created for Michael McGlinchey, who could only manage to poke his effort straight at goalkeeper Ante Covic. Typical of what can only be described as Wellington’s annus horribilus.
Head-to-Head
Western Sydney Wanderers have won three and drawn one of their five home fixtures against Wellington in the A-League. The Wanderers remain on top of the ladder after 18 rounds, a staggering 18 points ahead of the ninth-placed Phoenix.
Previous Meeting
A goal to Mark Bridge five minutes from time handed the Wanderers a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix in an entertaining clash at Parramatta Stadium in round seven. In front of almost 15,000 fans, a pulsating encounter looked headed for a draw after Manny Muscat’s goal for the Phoenix cancelled out Federico Piovaccari’s early opener. But Bridge had the final say with a composed finish from a corner in the 85th minute to give the Wanderers a fourth straight win to stay hot on the heels of then league-leaders Brisbane Roar.
Prediction
Western Sydney Wanderers 4 Wellington Phoenix 0
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