Sydney FC and the Wellington Phoenix do battle at Allianz Stadium to open Round 19 of the A-League. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
Wellington cross the ditch looking to become only the second team to knock off the champions in A-League competition this season.
Having won two of their last four, the Kiwis side will give themselves a chance of upsetting the ladder leaders.
Sydney need to be aware of the threat and not take things lightly against the visitors, who have finally started to gel under the leadership of Darije Kalezić.
However, the Sky Blues have looked impressive over the last month, despite dropping a few points along the way, seeing them fall off their cracking pace of 2016-17.
Their ability to bounce back when behind, as well as the resilience they show when under pressure, have once again been their strengths. Despite distraction around the manager’s future, debate around ACL selections, and the search for the right players to add to the squad during the transfer period, their defensive prowess and professionalism hasn’t faltered.
The Nix are without Andrija Kaludjerovic and Roy Krishna, while Sydney lose Brandon O’Neill to a one-game suspension – outs that hurt the visitors more than the home side.
Prediction
Wellington will put up an excellent show, but Sydney will still be too strong.
Sydney FC 2-0 Wellington Phoenix
Catch all the action on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEDT).
Kangajets
Guest
Ha ha Claudio ?
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Thanks Stuart. Another fabulous night. Only disappointment Bobo not scoring.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I’m giggling trying to stay quiet whilst my wife reads, I love you Claudio.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Matty Simon is a legend and will be one of the first ones chosen by Aussie Bert, because he has that "special" Australian attitude... The first thing he'll do when he's over there on the sidelines waiting to come on against France, is elbow Tim Cahill off the bench . . .
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
We are Sydney (clap), The famous Sydney FC (clap), Were from the harbour city (clap), The boys in blue from Moore park road... [repeat 4 times] They said "I bet you'll never make it" But just look at us holding on We're still together - still going strong… No one can stop us now.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Ha, made me laugh. Are their yellows at the pole?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
To where? The South Pole?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Matt Simon on the plane?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Another clinical performance from Sydney as they dispatch the Wellington Phoenix four goals to nil at Allianz Stadium. To be perfectly honest, the visitors were never in the game as the home side began dissecting them early on in the first period and continued to do so with their disciplined approach throughout the entire contest. In saying that, it was errors from Wellington that hurt them more than anything Sydney did in the first half and the goals to Brosque and Mierzejewski came off the back of poor defensive decisions. Despite starting a little better in the early stages of the second half, Wellington were eventually exposed and two further goals to Milos Ninkovic and substitute David Carney built a scoreline reflective of the dominance of the home team. Sydney FC weren't perfect tonight and Wellington were not disgraceful, yet the chasm between the top and bottom of the competition was on show for all to see, as the sky blues put the bottom team to the sword. It is always a treat to watch Sydney in full flight, yet their minds will now shift to some challenging weeks ahead with both A-League and ACL commitments. Wellington will lick its wounds and plan an attack on the remaining eight weeks in a desperate attempt to make the finals. Final Score Sydney FC 4 Wellington Phoenix 0
Stevo
Roar Rookie
A penny for your thought BvM.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog. Match report to follow in ten minutes.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time 93' - We are done and dusted here in Sydney and Sydney have proven far too good for Wellington.
Sydney FC: 4 Wellington Phoenix: 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
93' - Final minute as the game draws to a close.
Sydney FC: 4 Wellington Phoenix: 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
92' - Three minutes of added time.
Sydney FC: 4 Wellington Phoenix: 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' - Sydney FC looking straight through the middle yet Wellington clear.
Sydney FC: 4 Wellington Phoenix: 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' - Matt Simon would have taken the penalty to break the drought.
Sydney FC: 4 Wellington Phoenix: 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' - Free-kick into the box and Sydney are calling for a handball.
Sydney FC: 4 Wellington Phoenix: 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' - Does David Carney know a way to goal or what? What a stalwart, blessed with only limited skill.
Sydney FC: 4 Wellington Phoenix: 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 85' - Ninkovic to Carney to Calver who centres and Carney scores for Sydney. Where did that come from?
Sydney FC: 4 Wellington Phoenix: 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
84' - Galloway off and Rufer on for Wellington.
Sydney FC: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0