The Wellington Phoenix are back on home soil and need a win against Melbourne City to get their A-League campaign back on track. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEDT.
Back to back defeats to Brisbane and Western Sydney has seen Wellington lose valuable momentum but they still find themselves in a strong position heading into the A-League finals.
The Phoenix still occupy fourth spot on the A-League ladder, and pending other results, could climb as high as third on the table should Adelaide fail to register a win against Perth this weekend.
Despite their recent defeats, Wellington at home remain a solid bet of securing a win over a City side coming off a convincing derby defeat to Victory.
City have struggled to kick-start their season all year and it remains to be seen if they have what it takes to cause an upset across the ditch.
The last time they played in New Zealand, City suffered a miserable 5-1 defeat to Wellington in a game that saw Nathan Burns score a hat-trick.
Burns currently leads the A-League goal scorer charts and he will once again cause plenty of havoc against a suspect City defence.
With 30 goals scored already in the A-League this season, Wellington sit alongside the Victory and Adelaide as the most dangerous attacking side in the competition. The Phoenix are one of the most entertaining teams to watch when they are on song and back at home should be expected to put on a show.
Given that a top two spot is still well within reach, the Phoenix can ill-afford to drop points at home against Melbourne. They have a dominant record over City having only lost just one of their past nine matches against them. Their strong record should continue today.
Phoenix to win 3-1
patrick
Guest
haven't seen a safuwan game yet, is he any good?
Alan
Roar Guru
A frustrating draw for Wellington today after dominating the second half. Neither team could score a goal despite both possessing plenty of chances to open the scoring. Krishna in particular had a day to forget in front of goal after he missed a sitter in the second half. Draw doesn't help either team but it was an entertaining contest nonetheless. Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Gareth Wellington deserve blame as well for not knowing how to put the ball into the back of the net! A goal would have opened this game right up Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
95' - City win the freekick and you just can't pick a match these days! A nil all draw despite all the chances today. Poor finishing from both teams. Seconds just remain Phoenix 0 City 0
Gareth
Guest
City now time-wasting and seem to have been playing for the draw for the last 30 mins, a disappointing end to the game.
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE PHOENIX Krishna with a low drive and the ball just wide of the left post! Another chance..........oh my god.... Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Gee Mooy has been a workhorse today for City. Wellington still probing but City with the answers at the back so far. Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Five minutes to be added on Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - There should be plenty of added time here. Wellington get the throw. City with the throw now. Frustrating stalemate for both teams really. Wellington in particular have butchered some chances. Krishna I am looking at you. Poor touch lets Bonevacia down. Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - Another freekick whipped in. Boxall with a shot but the keeper saves well at the near post! CHANCE PHOENIX Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
86' - Poor delivery easily claimed by the keeper. Wellington nearly at 180 minutes without scoring a goal. Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Melling in trouble here. Bonevacia fouled. Freekick to Wellington. Yellow card for Melling. Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Wellington the better team in the second half but time running out now. Another tight finish coming right up. Poor pass and City get the throw. Williams in space but Bonevacia is fouled. Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Best chance of the match falls to the Phoenix and Krishna should have buried it!!! He should have buried it!!!!! Its been that sort of game today. Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE PHOENIX Great low cross into the box and Krishna hits nothing but air there!!!! Oh my god what a miss!!!!!!!! Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Good ball to Williams out wide. He is so dangerous when in space. Phoenix track back. City with possession after surviving a Phoenix onslaught. Game well in the balance. Just over 9,000 in today. Good crowd in. Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Still no goals here. Phoenix asking the questions here. They are forced back. City with numbers back. City out of trouble with the freekick Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Ramsay off for Murdocca. Gee Ramsay won't feel too happy about that. Ramsay came on for Duff in the first half and has now been subbed off himself... Phoenix 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Wow Wellington win the freekick right on top of the line of the penalty box! Goodness me! I think its a good call. Ball whipped in but its a wasted delivery... Phoenix 0 City 0