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Sydney FC vs Wellington Phoenix highlights: A-League live scores, blog

26th November, 2015
Kick-off: 8pm (AEDT)
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Betting: Sydney $1.80, draw $3.80, Wellington $4
The Wellington Phoenix take on Sydney FC at Allianz. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Roar Guru
26th November, 2015
118
1418 Reads

Match Result:

Its was a fairly dull affair as both Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix failed to produce any meaningful penetration into the opposing box.

Holosko went close for Sydney whilst Bonevacia had a decent chance for the ‘Nix as the ball fell to him on the edge of the area.

The Phoenix midfield has looked in control and maintained the bulk of possession. Graeme Arnold’s foreign midfield of Tavares, Dimitrijevic, Holosko and Ninkovic looked a bit of the pace as small errors cost the Sky Blues possession time and time again.

The break came at an opportune time as the players were energised to search harder for an opener. However, it wasn’t to be, as Sky Blues captain Alex Brosque went closest with an effort which struck the post and trickled agonisingly across the face of goal.

It was a frustrating evening as players had a lot to say about refereeing decisions. The ever-ballooning foul count was one of few intriguing undertones to this one as the overall count finished at a ludicrously high 40!

There were eight yellow cards dished out by referee Chris Beath as the tempo of the match was stifled by foul after foul after foul.

After 90 minutes, the scorers remained untroubled.

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Fulltime:
Sydney FC – 0
Wellington Phoenix – 0

Match Preview:

Round 8 of the A-League kicks off at Allianz Stadium as Sydney FC host the Wellington Phoenix. Can Graham Arnold’s side bounce back from last week’s Perth stalemate to best the Kiwis and boost their title aspirations? Join The Roar from 8:00pm (AEDT) for all the action.

The Sky Blues’ wonderful start to the campaign has been soured in recent weeks, with a 4-2 home loss in the Big Blue sandwiched by 0-0 draws to Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory.

Arnold will hope to utilise this seemingly straightforward home fixture to regain some traction in his star-studded side’s form.

This is Wellington’s second consecutive league fixture in Sydney. Last week the Western Sydney Wanderers bested the men from across the Tasman through an 85th minute heartbreaker, care of Mark Bridge. Ernie Merrick needs to stop any further slide down the A-League ladder, as the Phoenix are in a respectable sixth spot, four points behind league leaders Brisbane Roar.

In terms of personnel, Sydney FC continue to be without Iraqi international Ali Abbas, while the Phoenix’s Vince Lia also remains sidelined.

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Arnold has hinted he may opt for a few changes to his side this week after some less-than-impressive performances in Perth, so don’t be surprised if a youngster or two is given their chance.

The bookies favour the home side with Sydney at just $1.80 to clinch all three points in their backyard. The draw is a well-priced $3.80, while the Nix are a backable $4 to claim an unlikely victory away from home.

Sydney have been victorious in four of the last five clashes between these two – don’t expect them to make life easy for the visitors this time around.

Prediction
Sydney FC 2-1 Wellington Phoenix

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