The Wanderers travel to Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday afternoon to take on a plucky Phoenix outfit in a match that is shaping up to be a must win for both sides.
The Wanderers travel to Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday afternoon to take on a plucky Phoenix outfit in a match that is shaping up to be a must win for both sides.
The two teams have struggled for consistency this season and with the league drawing close to the half-way point, both will be aiming to cement a spot in a crowded top six.
After a disappointing result against Melbourne Victory in Round 10, the Wanderers will be hoping to grab their third win of the season by continuing their good run of form against the Nix.
The last meeting between the two saw the Wanderers claw back from two goals down to claim a 3-2 victory at Campbelltown Stadium in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 back in August.
Before that, the pair met in the final regular season round of last season, where a Brendon Santalab double secured a 2-0 win for the Red & Black at Westpac Stadium.
Having scored five goals so far this season, Santalab is just four shy of equalling Mark Bridge’s Club record of 32.
The Phoenix however boast a formidable record against the Wanderers in New Zealand. Of the six meetings across the ditch, Wellington have won three contests and drawn once.
The Nix, having recently parted ways with Ernie Merrick, will be on a high following their 3-0 thumping of the Central Coast Mariners last week.
Caretaker coaches Chris Greenacre and Des Buckingham have a roster full of attacking weapons that will no doubt keep the Wanderers back four on their toes.
Wellington Phoenix vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday 17 December, 5:35pm (AEDT)
Mt Smart Stadium
TV: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
Radio: ABC Grandstand, EON Sports Radio (eonsportsradio.com), Hawkesbury Radio
Online: Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WELvWSW
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Jacob TRATT, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 5.Ryan LOWRY, 7.Gui FINKLER, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 11.Hamish WATSON, 12.Adam PARKHOUSE, 13.Marco ROSSI, 14.Alex RUFER, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Vince LIA, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Matthew RIDENTON **two to be omitted**
Ins: 14.Alex RUFER (promoted), 19.Tom Doyle (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 10.Michael McGLINCHEY (knee – 5-6 weeks) –
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1. Jerrad TYSON (gk), 2. Shannon COLE, 3.Jack CLISBY, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 8.DIMAS (c), 9.Kerem BULUT, 10.Nicolás MARTÍNEZ, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Bruno PIÑATARES, 14.Jumpei KUSUKAMI, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.Artiz BORDA, 20.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 23.Lachlan SCOTT **two to be omitted**
Ins: 1.Jerrad TYSON (gk) (returns from suspension), 2. Shannon COLE (promoted), 9.Kerem BULUT
Outs: 40. Nick SUMAN (gk) (not selected)
Unavailable: Nil
