Melbourne City visit Wellington for the first time this Hyundai A-League season, looking to maintain their charge towards a maiden title. Can an inconsistent Phoenix halt their momentum, or will Aaron Mooy mastermind another Melbourne master-class?
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MATCH DETAILS
Friday, 26 February 2016
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-Off: 7.30PM (Local) (5.30PM (AEDT))
Referee: Matthew Conger
Assistant Referee 1: Mark Rule
Assistant Referee 2: Glen Lochrie
Fourth Official: Stephen Lucas
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live. Radio Sport NZ via website and I-Heart Radio App.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WELvMCY
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Glen MOSS (GK), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 4. Roly BONEVACIA, 5. Troy DANASKOS, 6. Dylan FOX, 8. Alex RODRIGUEZ, 10. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 11. Kwabena APPIAH, 12. Blake POWELL, 13. Albert RIERA, 15. James MCGARRY, 16. Louis FENTON, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 19. Tom DOYLE, 20. Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 22. Andrew DURANTE (captain), 23. Matthew RIDENTON, 24. Logan ROGERSON
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 5. Troy DANASKOS (promoted), 8. Alex RODRIGUEZ (returns from injury), 24. Logan ROGERSON (promoted).
Outs: 26. Hamish WATSON (suspended).
Unavailable: 14. Alex RUFER (broken leg, season), 17. Vince LIA (knee injury 2 to 3 weeks), 21.Roy KRISHNA (ankle injury 10 to 12 weeks), 26. Hamish WATSON (suspended)
Melbourne City FC: 1. Thomas SORENSEN (GK), 2. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 8. Aaron MOOY, 11. Michael ZULLO, 14. James BROWN, 18. Paulo RETRE, 19. Ben GARUCCIO, 20. Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 22. Jack CLISBY, 23. Bruno FORNAROLI, 24. Patrick KISNORBO (captain), 25. Jacob MELLING, 26. Marc MARINO, 27. Nick FITZGERALD, 28. Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 29. Anthony CACERES, 33. Osama MALIK
***Two to be omitted***
Ins: 14. James BROWN (promoted), 26. Marc MARINO (promoted), 29. Anthony CACERES (returns from suspension)
Outs: 17. Wade DEKKER (omitted)
Unavailable: 7. Corey GAMEIRO (knee – season)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Melbourne City have genuine designs on the minor premiership and will go to the top of the table for the first time ever (at least a couple of hours) with victory in New Zealand.
They are comfortably the most potent attacking side in the competition, scoring 15 more goals than anyone else and nearly twice as many as their hosts.
After an arduous recent travel schedule, Wellington will be buoyed by the prospect of five home games in the last seven weeks of the season and a first appearance at Westpac Stadium since having their license extension confirmed.
While the playoffs are out of reach, there’s still plenty to play for, with contracts on the line for several Phoenix players.
OPTA DATA
– Melbourne City have won three and drawn three of their last seven matches against Wellington, keeping three clean sheets in the process.
– There have been two 0-0 draws in the last four clashes between these teams, one at each side’s home venue.
– Melbourne City have conceded just one goal in their last four matches against Wellington Phoenix.
– Wellington Phoenix have kept two clean sheets in their last four home matches against Melbourne clubs.
– Aaron Mooy has been directly involved in 26 of City’s 50 goals this season (9 goals, 17 assists) – more than any other A-League player.
ROUTE TO GOAL
Just when it looked like Ernie Merrick had unearthed another goal-scoring source, it has been taken away from him. Loan striker Hamish Watson’s brace against Newcastle on Saturday was overshadowed by his sending off for a second yellow card.
As a result, the onus will again be on Blake Powell to repeat his four-goal heroics of a fortnight ago.
Melbourne City brought up 50 goals for the season against the Mariners on Sunday and did it without red-hot Bruno Fornaroli finding the net. With 17 so far, the Uruguayan is on track to break the record for the most goals in an A-League season, currently held by Besart Berisha (21 in 2011/12).
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Wellington Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante will play his 200th game for the Wellington Phoenix, incredibly having missed just 14 A-League matches since arriving in Wellington in 2008. He celebrated by inking a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.
FORM LINES
Wellington Phoenix: LLLWL
Melbourne City: WLLDW
PREDICTION
Wellington Phoenix 1 Melbourne City 3
