Preview: Queensland Roar v Wellington Phoenix

Suncorp Stadium has become a more fruitful pitch in recent times with the Roar aiming for their third win in a row at home on Sunday.

Date: Sunday December 28
Kick-off: 6pm local (7pm AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Sky Sport 1. Hyundai A-League club radio broadcast partner is Radio Network (Wellington) 1035AM. To purchase tickets visit www.premier.ticketek.com.au

Head-to-head
Past 5 Hyundai A-League meetings: Queensland Roar – 3 wins, Wellington Phoenix – 0 wins, Draws – 2.

Previous meeting
Wellington Phoenix 0, Queensland Roar 1, Westpac Stadium, Round 9, October 2008

Past Five Games
Queensland Roar:
Round 11: Queensland Roar 0, Melbourne Victory 1, Suncorp Stadium
Round 12: Queensland Roar 4, Perth Glory 1, Suncorp Stadium
Round 13: Sydney FC 1, Queensland Roar 1, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 14: Central Coast Mariners 1, Queensland Roar 1, Bluetongue Stadium
Round 15: Queensland Roar 2, Newcastle Jets 1, Suncorp Stadium

Wellington Phoenix
Round 12: Wellington Phoenix 2, Newcastle Jets 0, Westpac Stadium
Round 13: Wellington Phoenix 2, Melbourne Victory 1, Westpac Stadium
Round 14: Adelaide United 6, Wellington Phoenix 1, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 15: Wellington Phoenix 1, Perth Glory 1, Westpac Stadium
Round 16: Wellington Phoenix 1, Central Coast Mariners 0, Westpac Stadium

Analysis
Queensland Roar had mixed emotions about taking last weekend off after securing eight points from their previous four games.

There was a fear of losing momentum, and their placing on the ladder, but thanks to some upset results in Round 16 none of that has happened.

Instead, Frank Farina’s line-up can enjoy Christmas at home and feel refreshed heading into its clash against the Wellington Phoenix.

Suncorp Stadium has become a more fruitful pitch in recent times with the Roar aiming for their third win in a row at home on Sunday.

They are without Charlie Miller (hernia) and the suspended Danny Tiatto but they are starting to show they can win without their high-profile players.

Midfielder Mitch Nichols has bobbed up for two goals in the team’s last two home games while left winger Tommy Oar is showing positives signs despite his limited game time.

And lifting the Roar’s spirits will be the fact their skipper Craig Moore has been given a clean bill of health after his cancer scare.

It all seems rosy for Queensland but Moore is the first to admit there’ll be nothing easy about their clash with the Phoenix.

Moore will have the job of stopping striker Shane Smeltz who headed home a match-winner against the Central Coast last week and has a total of 10 goals this season.

The most impressive part of the Phoenix’s win was not so much the goal but the way they bravely defended against a persistent Mariners line-up. Earlier in the season they may have folded but their recent success has seen them establish a stiffer resolve.

Adding depth to their defensive team is the return of second-choice keeper Mark Paston and Ben Sigmund.

Wellington may have lost 1-0 to Queensland in the teams’ last clash but it created plenty of opportunities in that contest. It’ll be keen to make amends for that effort.

The Phoenix will also be desperate to keep their finals hopes alive and show the rest of the competition their Westpac Stadium form can be transferred to Australian pitches.

However expect the Roar to burst Wellington’s bubble with a 1-0 result.

Queensland Roar Squad. 1.Liam REDDY (gk), 2.Andrew PACKER, 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Craig MOORE (c), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6. David DODD, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 12.Tahj MINNIECON, 13. Chris GROSSMAN, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 15.Matthew McKAY, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 20.Griffin McMASTER (gk), 21. Tommy OAR, 22. Robbie KRUSE, 23.Tim SMITS.

*three to be omitted

In. 6. David DODD, 13. Chris GROSSMAN (promoted) 22. Robbie KRUSE (promoted), 23.Tim SMITS.

Out. Danny TIATTO (suspended – one week).

Wellington Phoenix Squad. 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Karl DODD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 15. Adam KWASNIK, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (captain), 25. Manny MUSCAT.

* one to be omitted.

In. 1. Mark PASTON (gk, return from injury), 18. Ben SIGMUND (return from injury).

Out. 30. Scott HIGGINS (gk, short-term injury replacement contract completed).