Wednesday night football preview: March 24

It’s double the drama on Wednesday, March 24 as two back-to-back A-League fixtures round out the action in Matchweek 13.

Wellington Phoenix get the ball rolling with a clash against Melbourne Victory at WIN Stadium (kick-off 7.05pm AEDT) before Sydney FC travel out West to face Perth Glory at HBF Park (kick-off 9.20pm AEDT).

The Phoenix are in action for the second time in Matchweek 13 after drawing 1-1 with Brisbane Roar on Sunday afternoon. Victory meanwhile will be raring to go after a washout at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium postponed their clash with Sydney FC on Saturday.

It’s the first chance Victory have to respond to a disappointing 3-1 loss to Adelaide United in Matchweek 12. The 3-1 loss was a third in succession for Grant Brebner’s side, who sit bottom of the A-League table with just seven points to date. 

But Victory can find confidence coming into this clash from their last meeting with the Phoenix: a 2-0 win in Matchweek 9, a result decided by a Rudy Gestede double. 

Squad News

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Stefan MARINOVIC (gk), 2.Liam McGING, 4.Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI, 5.James MCGARRY, 6.Tim PAYNE, 7.Reno PISCOPO, 8.Cameron DEVLIN, 9.David BALL, 10.Ulises DAVILA (c), 11.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 13.Charles LOKOLI-NGOY, 14.Alex RUFER, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Tomer HEMED, 18.Ben WAINE, 19.Sam SUTTON, 20.Oliver SAIL, 21.Joshua LAWS, 23.Clayton LEWIS, 27.Steven TAYLOR

**2-4 to be omitted**

Ins: 21.Joshua LAWS (promoted), 27.Steven TAYLOR (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 3.Luke DEVERE (knee – 8 weeks)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX , 3.Adama TRAORE, 4.Nicholas ANSELL, 7.Callum McMANAMAN, 8.Jacob BUTTERFIELD, 10.Robbie KRUSE, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 13.Birkan KIRDAR, 14.Jay BARNETT, 15.Aaron ANDERSON, 16.Brandon LAUTON, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 20.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 22.Jake BRIMMER, 25.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO, 26. Lleyton BROOKS, 33.Dalibor MARKOVIC, 35.Zaydan BELLO

**1-3 to be omitted**

In: 4.Nicholas ANSELL (promoted), 17.Elvis KAMSOBA (Promoted), 26. Lleyton BROOKS (promoted)

Out: 6.Leigh BROXHAM (suspended), 9.Rudy GESTEDE (knee)

Unavailable: 5.Ryan SHOTTON (groin), 19.Dylan RYAN (knee), 23.Marco ROJAS (fractured leg)

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6234877624001

At the conclusion of Wellington’s clash with Victory, attention will turn to Perth where Glory will play host to Sydney FC. 

Perth’s promising start to the 2020/21 campaign has hit a roadblock, with three losses and a draw coming from their last four games. Richard Garcia’s side have since slumped to ninth on the table with 13 points, trailing Sydney FC on 18 in sixth.

The Sky Blues are flying under the radar after showing inconsistency throughout their opening nine games of the season. But two wins in a row have helped Steve Corica’s side to steady ahead of a trip to Perth.

The Sky Blues are unbeaten in five games against Glory leading into this fixture (W4, D1), a run sparked by two wins in the 2019/20 season – including victory in the Grand Final of that particular campaign.

Squad News

Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk),  5.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 6.Osama MALIK, 8.Kosuke OTA, 9.Bruno FORNAROLI, 10.Andy KEOGH, 13.Luke BODNAR, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Nick SULLIVAN, 17.Diego CASTRO (C), 19.Callum TIMMINS, 18.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 20.Carlo ARMIENTO, 22.Josh RAWLINS, 23.Dane INGHAM, 24.Daniel STYNES, 29.Darryl LACHMAN, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 38.Ciaran BRAMWELL, 88.Neil KILKENNY

**2-4 to be omitted** 

Ins: 6.Osama MALIK (promoted), 22.Josh RAWLINS (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS (knee – 2-3 weeks)

 

Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Patrick FLOTTMANN, 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Alex WILKINSON (c), 5.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 6.Ryan McGOWAN, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.BOBÔ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 16.Joel KING, 17.Anthony CACERES, 18.Luke IVANOVIC, 20.Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 21. Harry VAN der SAAG, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 26.Luke BRATTAN, 27.Jordan SWIBEL, 28.Calem NIEUWENHOF, 33.Pat WOOD

**2-4 to be omitted**

Ins: 2.Patrick FLOTTMANN (promoted), 27.Jordan SWIBEL (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 7.Michael ZULLO (calf), 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (knee), 19.Chris ZUVELA (knee)

Sydney FC

 

Match Details

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory
Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Venue: WIN Stadium
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Match Centre

How to follow the action

Match Centre: Live updates, videos and statistics

Follow @ALeague on Twitter and join the conversation using #WELvMVC #ALeague

Tipping

Match Details

Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Venue: HBF Park
Kick-off: 9.20pm AEDT
Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Match Centre

How to follow the action

Match Centre: Live updates, videos and statistics

Follow @ALeague on Twitter and join the conversation using #SYDvPER #ALeague

Tipping