The dilapidated Wellington Phoenix host the mercurial Brisbane Roar at Westpac Stadium in a must-win match after a sapping festive schedule.
Wellington Phoenix are a team in trouble, with on-field issues now equally as critical as the off-field drama that has plagued the side throughout the season. In-form Brisbane will have a massive chance this week 14 match-up to get five wins in a row.
“There’s no place like home” – For the beleaguered Wellington Phoenix, this immortal line, uttered by Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz had never been so relatable. Decimated by the hurricane Christmas and New Years away fixtures, the Nix lost two games in succession to Adelaide United and Central Coast.
In the process of their tough away losses they have lost Manny Muscat to a two-match ban following the now infamous Roy O’Donovan ‘head-butt’ incident, fifth yellow cards mean midfielders Alex Rodriguez and Roly Bonevacia are out with one game mandatory suspensions, and star striker Roy Krishna succumbed to an ankle injury. The Fijian goes into a worryingly mounting list of walking wounded that includes striker Jeffrey Sarpong and soon to be retiring defender Ben Sigmund, who re-injured his hamstring in training this week. With Louis Fenton also out for an extended period after tearing ankle ligaments in week 11 and young midfielder Alex Rufer out for the rest of the season with a broken leg, it seems that the Phoenix’s on-field issues have now got to a level that mirrors their off-field turmoil. And they head into this round 14 clash with high-flying Brisbane in 6th spot, but they could finish the round as low as 8th with a loss and other results going the way of the teams below them.
The Phoenix return to Westpac Stadium in Wellington after their two defeats on the road, with their last home game a 1-1 draw with Sydney in Week 11, and their last win coming in the round nine triumph over the Melbourne Victory at Auckland’s QBE Stadium. After two games in five days on the road, the ten-day break for this game will provide welcome relief for the Phoenix as they look to get a season of promise – that is quickly becoming a season of misfortune – back on track to producing results and matching fan expectations.
Key Battle – Blake Powell vs Jean Carlos Solorzano
A true duel of the strikers, the Phoenix’s Powell is stepping into the breach following Roy Krishna’s injury and will need to rediscover his goalscoring touch if this Nix side has any chance of getting a result. Jean Carlos Solorzano is an experienced campaigner in the A-League, but has not experienced regular starting football this season due to the fine form of Jamie Maclaren. The Costa Rican has only made five appearances off the bench this season and is ye to find the back of the net.
Team News
With the Nix missing a huge raft of players, Ernie Merrick will have to call on his bench, youth, and reserve players for this fixture. Compared to Merrick, Brisbane coach John Aloisi has the simple job of choosing from a fully fit and firing outfit, his biggest dilemma will be whether to start Henrique or Brandon Borrello up front.
Wellington Phoenix Expected XI (4-3-3): Moss, Danskos, Durante, Fox, Doyle, Riera, Ridenton, Lia, Appiah, McGlinchey, Powell
Brisbane Roar Expected XI (4-3-3): Young, Bowles, North, Stefanutto, Hingert, Corona, Petratos, McKay, Solorzano, Henrique, Broich
Head-to-Head
In 25 matches between these two sides, past results show that Brisbane Roar are far superior to their Kiwi opposition, as they have on a staggering 16 occasions. The Wellington Phoenix has won just four times in matchups between these two, and the points have been shared a mere five times.
Previous Meeting
The last match between the two sides was a close affair, as the Phoenix took the lead through Roy Krishna to hold a 1-0 lead at half time. However, the fatigued Phoenix were overrun by a spirited Brisbane Roar side in the second half at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns, surrendering their goal advantage to go down to two late goals and register a 2-1 loss.
Prediction
The Roar are the league’s form side, and they have played some scintillating football in the past few rounds to establish themselves at the top, level with the Wanderers on 27 points but ahead on goal difference and six points clear of third-placed Melbourne City. The Phoenix are struggling, and it seems that whenever they get a player back from injury or suspension, they lose two more. It’s hard to predict anything other than a comprehensive away win for the current A-league leaders Brisbane.
Brisbane Roar 3 Wellington Phoenix 1
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