The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 26 - the jostle for finals positions is on in earnest
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Both Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking for three points to break into the top six when they clash in New Zealand this afternoon. We’ll have live scores from 2.30pm AEDT.
For a side not renowned for getting results on the road Wellington Phoenix would be highly satisfied with their most recent trip, which contained a dominant 3-0 win at Newcastle and a 1-1 draw at Perth.
It is crucial that they now begin to re-establish Westpac Stadium as the fortress that it has been in recent seasons.
In the three matches they’ve played in Wellington so far this season the Phoenix have managed one win, one draw and one loss, a record Ricki Herbert will be keen to improve.
Western Sydney Wanderers have earned plenty of admiration over the first two months of the competition, but their form of late has been patchy, with home losses to Newcastle and Melbourne sandwiching a highly credible 1-0 win in Perth.
Today presents another stern test for the Wanderers in travelling across the Tasman for another tough road game, and they’ll do so without the services of key midfield duo Youssef Hersi (suspended) and Aaron Mooy (Socceroos).
But the aforementioned win at Perth and a similiarly professional 1-0 win at Brisbane will give coach Tony Popovic hope that his side can compete on the road.
They should give a good account of themselves today but all signs point to a home victory here.