Wellington Phoenix will hope Campbelltown Stadium can be a successful home-away-from-home when they cross the ditch to face Sydney FC on Saturday evening (kick off 5.35pm AEDT).
With the fixture taken to Australia’s east coast – a move announced in December – due to venue constraints in New Zealand, the Kiwi club will be hosts in name only against a team with plenty to prove in Round 20.
The location of the encounter can hardly be used to discount Mark Rudan’s men considering they stunned the Sky Blues with a 3-1 triumph in the Harbour City before the turn of the year.
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Steve Corica’s side looked good in the weeks that followed that loss but have stalled in recent times, winning only one of their past four matches and neither of the last two – which have been against the ninth and 10th teams on the ladder.
That form needs to be turned around with the Finals Series drawing closer.
Wellington, who are six points ahead of seventh-placed Newcastle Jets, will look to use this trip to help maintain their progress towards the post-season.
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https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6002499766001
Key Opta stats
- Sydney FC have won six of their last eight Hyundai A-League games against Wellington Phoenix (D1, L1), including a 1-0 triumph when they met last.
- This will be the third Hyundai A-League game played at Campbelltown Stadium, though it will be the first fixture at the venue for either Wellington Phoenix or Sydney FC. Each of the previous two games were won by the hosts on the day.
- Sky Blues striker Adam Le Fondre has made 35 shots on target this Hyundai A-League season, eight more than any other player in the competition.
Ins and outs
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Filip KURTO (gk), 4. Mandi SOSA, 5. Ryan LOWRY, 6.Dylan FOX, 7.Cillian SHERIDAN, 9.Nathan BURNS, 11.David WILLIAMS, 12.Antony GOLEC, 13.Liberato CACACE, 14.Alex RUFER, 15.Michal KOPZCYNSKI, 16.Louis FENTON, 18.Sarpreet SINGH, 20.Oliver SAIL (gk), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE, 23.Max BURGESS, 27.Steven TAYLOR
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 5. Ryan LOWRY, (promoted), 9. Nathan BURNS (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 19. Thomas DOYLE (injured – knee strain 2 weeks)
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Aaron CALVER, 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Daniel DE SILVA, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 16. Reza GHOOCHANNEJHAD, 17.Anthony CACERES, 20.Alex CISAK (gk), 21. Mitch AUSTIN, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 31.Luke IVANOVIC.
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Paulo RETRE (promoted), 11.Daniel DE SILVA (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (ACL – indefinite), 22.Siem DE JONG (knee – 1 week), 19. Chris ZUVELA (knee – indefinite).
How to watch
Tune into FOX SPORTS 505 at 5:35pm (AEDT) to discover which team will prevail after sharing one win apiece in their meetings this season. You can also stream the match on the MyFootball Live App, live, fast and data-free for Telstra mobile customers, or via Kayo Sports.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6003096213001
Tickets
HEAD HERE for tickets to see the Sky Blues take on their former favourite Rudan and his Phoenix side at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney.