The biggest game of the round sees Wellington Phoenix host Sydney FC in the battle for second place.
A win for either side would put them outright second on the table, earning them automatic qualification to the second week of finals, as well as a home semi-final.
The Phoenix broke their run of three scoreless matches, including two consecutive 3-0 losses, with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Central Coast Mariners. The Mariners lead 2-0 at half time, with the Phoenix looking likely to suffer another big defeat. A fired up Wellington came out in the second half and fought its way back into the match, with goals from Roly Bonevacia and substitute Kenny Cunningham. The Phoenix secured all three points in the 95th minute, with Cunningham scoring his second.
Sydney FC also picked up the three points last round, with a 4-3 win over the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium, keeping its unbeaten record on the road intact. Newcastle opened the scoring before Bernie Ibini and a brace to Alex Brosque put the Sky Blues in a comfortable lead, with just over 30 minutes to play. Newcastle scored twice more to make things level at the 76 minute mark. But substitute Robert Stambolziev scored the winner in the 80th minute – and his first in the A-League – to see Sydney maintain their title aspirations.
Key Battle – Albert Riera v Alex Brosque
Albert Riera will once again be influential in helping the Phoenix secure a win against the Sky Blues. This week he will be charged with nullifying Sydney’s Alex Brosque. Sydney’s captain has been in good form of late, with four goals in his last two matches. Brosque is so important in that Sydney front three and the less time he has on the ball, the better for the Phoenix.
Team News
Kwabena Appiah and Tom Doyle are included in an extended squad for the Phoenix. Only Joel Griffiths is unavailable due to his knee injury.
Wellington Phoenix Expected XI (4-3-3): Moss (GK); Sigmund, Durante, Muscat, Boxall; Riera, Bonevacia, Rodriguez; Burns, Krishna, McGlinchey.
Sydney welcome back Mickael Tavares and Nikola Petkovic from injury for Sunday’s match.
Sydney FC Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Janjetovic (GK); Petkovic, Jurman, Ryall, Faty; Tavares, Dimitrijevic; Naumoff, Ibini, Brosque; Janko.
Head-to-Head
Sydney leads the head to head with 13 wins to Wellington’s 11. There has only ever been one draw between the teams. The Sky Blues have not had the best of luck at Westpac Stadium with only three wins in 11 visits. However, their last trip saw them return to Sydney as 3-0 winners.
Previous Meeting
A host of players out on international duty for the Phoenix saw Sydney comfortably beat Wellington 3-0 at Westpac Stadium in March. Three first half goals, to Jacques Faty, Shane Smeltz and an own goal from Manny Muscat, were enough to secure the visitors the result.
Prediction
Both squads will almost be at full strength for this clash and a tight, entertaining contest is on the cards. The Phoenix needed the win, and the goals, last week. The team’s confidence should be high heading into this match. However, the Sky Blues will be high on confidence as well. They are unbeaten on the road and have shown again and again that they can grab all three points from any type of game situation. This match will have no in between and likely feature plenty of goals. It will be a close contest either way and it is shaping up to be a fascinating and drama filled finish to the season.
Wellington Phoenix 3 Sydney FC 2
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