Wellington Phoenix will be locking horns with Western United for their 18th fixture in the A-League. Phoenix bagged a vital 1-0 win over Melbourne City in Auckland over the weekend and will be thriving in confidence as they are just three points behind second-placed Melbourne City FC who have 30 points on board. Meanwhile, Mark Rudan’s Western United had to endure a 1-0 defeat at Brisbane Roar and are yet to score a goal this month. Western United currently finds itself at the seventh spot with 21 points on board and will have to string in some wins in order to make it to the knockouts.
Match Details
Date- Friday, February 21
Kick-Off- 11:45 AM (IST)
Venue- Wellington Regional Stadium
Wellington Phoenix
Louis Fenton remains a long term absentee due to a shoulder issue, while Walter Scott is on the sidelines as a result of a knee injury. Liam McGing will be in contention of being in the team sheet, while Tim Payne returns from suspension for the hosts. Having said that, Hufuk Talay could persist with a similar eleven that started in the 1-0 win over Melbourne City FC.
Wester United
Aaron Calver, Ivan Vujica, James Delianov and Brendan Hall are among those who remain on the sidelines due to injuries. Dario Jertec and Tomislav USKOK might get the nod for the away side. B Berisha should lead the attack, with M Burgess and P Kone playing in behind. T Imai, O Dillon and A Durante could feature as the three-man defence.
WEL (Expected Playing 11)- S Marinovic; A Hudson, S Taylor, L DeVere, L Cacace; U Davila, C Devlin, V Steinmann, R Piscopo; G Hooper, D Ball
WST (Expected Playing 11)- F Kurto; T Imai, A Durante, O Dillon; J Risdon, T Iradukunda, J Skotadis, C Pain, P Kone, M Burgess, B Berisha
Ulises Davila has been a central figure in midfield for Wellington Phoenix. Davila has 10 goals from 17 games this season in the A-League.
B Berisha has been one of the standouts for Western United. Berisha has 11 goals and an assist from 1305 minutes in the league this season.
David Ball can be a threat on the final third for Wellington Pheonix. The 30-year-old forward has four goals from 143 appearances this season.
From the last two games between the two sides, a game each has been won by Pheonix and United.
Wellington Pheonix are the favourites heading into the game.
Goalkeeper- F Kurto
Defenders- S Taylor, L DeVere, L Cacace, O Dillon
Midfielders- M Steinmann, U Davila (C), J Skotadis
Forwards- D Ball (VC), M Burgess, B Berisha
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