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This afternoon sees two sides on the final stretch of two very different seasons, with Western Sydney Wanderers looking for an A-League record ninth-straight win, while Wellington Phoenix try to keep their finals hopes alive. We’ll have live coverage from 5.00pm AEDT.
With Premiership rivals Central Coast falling to successive losses – the first of which was to the Wanderers themselves – Western Sydney could go five points clear at the top of the table with a win today.
Today’s game looks to be a more open affair than last week’s top-of-the-table clash, and Wanderers manager Tony Popovic may decide to bring in the creative Aaron Mooy for the more defensive Iacopo La Rocca in central midfield.
Otherwise, his line-up is likely to be largely the same following on from the disciplined showing against the Mariners.
Victory today would be a huge step towards claiming a Premiership in the Wanderers’ first season, and would leave them needing just two wins from their final three games to finish at the A-League summit.
The career-best form of A-League stalwarts Michael Beauchamp, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Mark Bridge has been key to Tony Popovic’s success story, and these players will again prove integral to the Wanderers’ chances in today’s match.
Classy foreigners Shinji Ono and Youssouf Hersi should again be the main providers for the Wanderers front line.
Wellington Phoenix’s season could not be more different from that of the Wanderers. They sit last, six points from a finals place and have won just twice in the past 11 games.
Nonetheless, they are coming off a win against the Heart and interim manager Chris Greenacre seems to have inspired some renewed hope.
The Wanderers will be watching closely Phoenix dangermen Jeremy Brockie and Corey Gameiro while Paul Ifill, who has had a disappointing season, can be threatening on his day.
Though his form has dropped off recently, Belgian Stein Huysegems will be missed up front following last week’s red card.
While the Phoenix will be playing as a team with their season on the line, the Wanderers – well organised and buoyed by a number of players in the form of their lives- are likely to be too good for the New Zealand club.
Early ticket sales suggest close to a full house today, with another fabulous atmosphere guaranteed. A win tonight for the Wanderers may be the clincher for their Premiership ambitions – a fascinating match-up awaits.
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