After a loss to Central Coast on Thursday night, Wellington Phoenix rush home to host Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium this afternoon. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5.00pm AEDT.
Sydney head over the ditch to play the winless Phoenix without their two marquees, Brett Emerton and Alessandro Del Piero, as they attempt to further maneuver their way up the table after a very shabby start to the season.
Wellington are still trying to find their pot of gold in the form of three points.
With Sydney missing Del Piero and Emerton, this could be a good opportunity for the Nix to break their drought.
The story of the Phoenix season is pretty much a semi-promising performance, followed by deserving losses or dire draws.
The Phoenix go into this with a full fit squad, though there will be questions surrounding the availability of Carlos Hernandez.
The Costa Rican international has reportedly been involved in a dispute with the club over an agreement to fly his family to New Zealand for Christmas, and dramatically left the squad on the eve of their match in Sydney on Thursday.
Tiago Calvano still misses out for Sydney through suspension, while Corey Gameiro and Chris Naumoff return to the match day squad.
The ever-reliable Seb Ryall will join the 100 club, which is quite a feat for a player who is still just 24 years of age.
Head-to-head the sides have played 23 times, with equal wins to both sides, and surprisingly only one draw.
In the previous encounter back on November 23 this season, Sydney edged out a thriller with a Ranko Despotovic injury-time winner sealing a 2-1 victory after Kenny Cunningham had equalised late.
Prediction
Sticking with the Sky Blues. They have only lost one in five and are on a continued rise.
Phoenix, on the other hand, have lost their last three from five and things just don’t seem to be falling for them this season.
Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Sydney FC
Clearly concussed
Guest
You tube.
DSF
Guest
hahaha fair enough i meant awesome by phoenix standards apart from rojas phoenix never really had attacking mids before this year.
Zee
Roar Guru
I wouldn't count pass a thousand tbh Storm
Stevo
Guest
Can see what you're getting at but I wouldn't describe anybody in the HAL as awesome except maybe ADP when fit and firing. But I thought Carlos was the attacking midfielder? Maybe Huyso off the bench for impact? I wouldn't have him in HeartFC - hmmmmmmmm NO
hog
Guest
Finally 3 pts for the Pheonix, that will do for Xmas, sounds like it was pretty ugly but a wind a win. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
DSF
Guest
Fenton is not a FB and is more damaging as an attacking wing or CAM just look to his performances last year, Riera prob had an off day his past games he has been protecting the back 4 quite good and releases the ball at the right times too but ill agree with you on hicks. Hicks doesn't look like he can quite cut it at aleague level hopefully alex rufer will get his spot on the bench.
DSF
Guest
he is quite wasteful in front of goal but he is awesome at CAM definitely would like to see the younger boys come through like tyler boyd at striker.
1860melbourne
Guest
How do phoenix find some of these imports. Riera is a spanish backpacker who is now playing in a league and Huyse is just hopeless in front of goal.
Allan
Guest
Thanks for the commentary, thoroughly enjoyable reading about ESFC being shown the door !
1860melbourne
Guest
+1
Zee
Roar Guru
FT - Wellington Phoenix 1 vs Sydney FC 0 Ernie & Co have registered their first win of the season, deserved too. Sydney FC were woeful, damn woeful. Heart now alone a the foot of the table. Sorry ya'll had to watch that .. Join me on boxing day, for SFC vs Roar, see you then
Stevo
Guest
Let me say that again "Dear oh dear Huysegems you are a wasteful clod. Sack him Ernie and get anybody else?!?"
1860melbourne
Guest
Sydney had this coming for weeks.
Zee
Roar Guru
`90 Wellington Phoenix 1` vs Sydney FC 0 Shirts are off here @ Westpac Stadium, 3 minutes to go.. WP on the attack. Huysegems with a wayward shot at goal. WP on route to their FIRST WIN THIS SEASON
Zee
Roar Guru
`87 Wellington Phoenix 1 vs Sydney FC 0 Free kick to WP, after Nicky Carl brings down Sigmund
Zee
Roar Guru
Substitution for WP - Bertos - ON Hernandez - OFF
Zee
Roar Guru
`82 Wellington Phoenix 1 vs Sydney FC 0 The centurion Seb Ryall looking very uncomfortable, might have to play this one out
Zee
Roar Guru
80' Wellington Phoenix 1 vs Sydney FC 0 Huysegems plays a lovely one-two with Hernandez and deflects out for a corner!
Stevo
Guest
Can't say that Fenton, Hicks, Riera and Huyso do much for me footballing wise but the Nux are leading 1:0. What does that say about SFC???
jed
Guest
probably the most boring game this year