Wellington Phoenix are just waiting it out until the end of the season now. The hosts lie at the bottom of the Hyundai A-League with just four games remaining in the regular season, leaving the 13 point gap between them and the playoff zone unbridgeable, even in miraculous circumstances.
They can still salvage some pride by not finishing rock bottom, but even with Central Coast Mariners only three points above them the Kiwi side are showing no signs of a resurgence yet, and this weekend it’s unlikely to change.
That’s because Phoenix are facing a major selection crisis coming into this game. Not only are they missing three defenders through injury, but they have another away with the New Zealand squad along with four of their midfielders. It’s bare bones at the Westpac Stadium right now, so confidence will be extremely low coming into this game.
Brisbane Roar have something to fight for as well. The visitors are just outside the A-League playoff spots in 7th place, with two points separating them from Western Sydney Wanderers in 6th and four games to try and bridge that gap.
This visible finishing line has somewhat spurred them on in recent weeks. They started February with a defeat to make it two wins and five losses in their previous seven matches, but since then things have vastly improved. They shockingly beat league leaders Sydney FC away from home last weekend to make it three wins from their last four A-League matches.
It’s Roar’s away form that has caught the eye recently. Not only did they beat Sydney FC last time out, but prior to that they beat last season’s runners up Melbourne Victory as well, to make it five wins from their last six away days in the A-League. The only side they have failed to beat during this run is 2nd place Newcastle Jets, so they will fancy their chances at the Westpac Stadium.
Wellington Phoenix do get better on home soil, but only marginally. They have still lost five of their last eight home matches, and that along with their selection crisis makes a Brisbane Roar win look fantastic value for money along with a 2-1 correct score predictions.
Head To Head
Brisbane Roar have won three, drawn three, and lost one of their last seven meetings with Wellington Phoenix.
Wellington Phoenix vs Brisbane Roar Stats
- Wellington Phoenix have lost 86% of their last seven Hyundai A-League matches.
- At home, Phoenix have lost 63% of their last eight in the league.
- Brisbane Roar have won 83% of their last six away matches in the A-League.
Wellington Phoenix Team News
Wellington Phoenix are having a selection crisis, with goalkeeper Tando Velaphi and defensive trio Ryan Lowry, Daniel Mulen, and Marco Rossi all injured. Not only that, but defender Tom Doyle and midfield quartet Michael McGlinchey, Alex Rufer, Matthew Ridenton, and Sarpreet Singh are all away on international duty.
Brisbane Roar Team News
Brisbane Roar are missing goalkeeper Michael Theo and defenders Luke De Vere, Jade North, and Avraam Papadopoulos due to injury.
