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Wellington Phoenix get one final chance to revive their season this afternoon when they host Adelaide United, a side mired in their own mid-season slump. We’ll have minute-by-minute updates from 2.30pm AEDT.
The inconsistency of all six sides below the top four has left the possibility of a finals berth open for Wellington, but with each week bringing continued mediocrity it is hard to see them taking it.
If anything can turn their fortunes around it is the considerable advantage the Phoenix have built at Westpac Stadium. They play here this afternoon and then host sixth-placed Newcastle on Wednesday evening, and two positive results mean Ricki Herbert’s side would again be in finals contention.
They won’t get a better chance than here against an Adelaide outfit ready for the taking, heading across the Tasman having lost four from their past five matches.
Michael Valkanis undoubtedly needs to be given more time to implement his own methods on the team, but the situation is becoming more urgent given there is only six matches remaining before the finals.
The eight-point break they currently hold over fifth-placed Sydney should ensure the Reds hold onto fourth spot and a first-round home final, but they’ll make no imprint on the A-League championship race the way they’re travelling now.
In this situation it should ordinarily be easy to tip Wellington at home, but this team inspire little confidence in that result and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the points shared.
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