Matchweek 2 preview: Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC

Reigning Champions Sydney FC will face a stern test to open their 2020/21 campaign when they face Wellington Phoenix at WIN Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Sky Blues secured the Premiership/Championship double last season but it wasn’t an easy feat for Steve Corica’s side.

Wellington proved a worthy contender for large parts of the season and were arguably Sydney’s most dangerous rival for the title before the mid-season pause due to COVID-19.

The Phoenix return to action this season with Ufuk Talay desperate to build on the third place finish he and his side achieved in 2019/20.

Gary Hooper has departed but former English Premier League striker Tomer Hemed takes his place up front, with the likes of Mirza Muratovic, Josh Laws, Matthew Ridenton and James McGarry coming into the Phoenix squad, led this season by newly-appointed captain Ulises Dávila.

Sydney, meanwhile, approach the 2020/21 season charged with the task of winning a third-straight A-League Championship – a feat never before achieved.

But it won’t be easy without former striker Adam le Fondre, who netted twice for the Sky Blues against Wellington in three games last season.

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