Round 23: Melbourne Heart vs Wellington Phoenix

A win for either team will see their finals chances continue. For the loser, Jeff Probst is standing next to their bamboo lantern.  This won’t be your typical eighth v ninth clash, there is simply too much on offer and proves to be one of the matches of the season.

Last time these two teams met in Wellington, Heart took advantage their high confidence levels and threw caution to the Wellington wind and put five past a hapless Glen Moss, their best result in the short history of the club.  Both clubs were in the middle of impressive form patches and the result was very much a surprise to the Wellington faithful.

Wellington rescued a point last week after a disappointing game against cellar dwellers Perth, a result that has the potential to haunt Ernie Merrick’s men.  A win would have seen the Nix only one point from sixth, now they are currently three points from 6th.

Heart will be looking for a strong AAMI Park crowd after what was almost a season ending loss to Newcastle.  A loss here would almost certainly end their rollercoaster season, something that appeared a certainty before John Van’t Schip retook the head coaching position.

Phoenix have an embarrassment of riches in front of goal with Huysegems, Brockie, Hernandez (pending fitness test) and Cunningham all capable of testing the sometimes fragile Heart defence.  Heart fans will be requiring top defensive games from centre backs Patrick Kisnorbo and Rob Wielaert, with Hoffman and Behich chiming in.  Heart must control the midfield if they are to win the match and this will be their best avenue to goal. David Williams will be looking to reward the AAMI Park faithful with another stellar effort as he, like Huysegems could be looking for another club in the 2014/15 season.

This game promises to be a goal fest with both coaches willing to throw caution to the wind after the pursuit of three points and another week of survival for their finals chances.

Please note: The game will start at 4:00pm (ok maybe 4:06pm)

Form Guide

Played: 11. Heart: 3. Draw: 3. Wellington: 5.

This season

Wellington 0 lost to Heart 5 (16/02/2014) at Westpac Stadium

Heart 0 lost to Wellington 1 (27/12/2013) at AAMI Park

Last five matches

Heart: WWWWL Wellington: WLWLD

Absentee List

Heart: NIL

Wellington: Paul Ifill (Achilles – Season), Louis Fenton (Shoulder – Season), Recce Caira (Face 6-8 weeks), Albert Riera (Groin – 6-8 weeks)

Squads

Melbourne Heart enters the game injury free, and with all players available. I expect Harry Kewell to be called into the starting line up at the expense of Iain Ramsay. David Vrankovic and Stefan Mauk have been bought into the squad but neither will feature on Sunday’s game in my view.  Michael Mifsud still finds himself on the outer and will struggle to make another appearance for Heart before heading back to Malta.

Wellington Phoenix regain defensive pest Manny Muscat from suspension and young striker Hamish Watson for a possible debut if Carlos Hernandez cannot dispel any fitness doubts.  Expect Jeremy Brockie to be in the starting XI after not making it off the Bunnings chairs last week.  Merrick may start in a defensive mindset to blunt any influence the AAMI Park crowd play.

Eyes On…

Orlando ENGELAAR – The marquee man is a class above most in the A-League and he must perform on Sunday.  After failing to find the back of the net for the first time in a month Engelaar will be looking to lead the Heart push towards finals action.  Fans will look toward Engelaar to control the game alongside Massimo Murdocca and will be looking to find a few good passes for striker David Williams during the indigenous round.  Heart will need an all-round effort from all eleven players and the fitness of star Harry Kewell could play a key role.

Stein HUYSEGEMS – With Carlos Hernandez under a fitness cloud Phoenix fans will look toward Huysegems to provide the much needed attacking spark.  Huysegems had already scored 10 times during this campaign in what appears to be his last with Wellington after contract negotiations have broken down. If Stein wants to remain in the A-League he has a five week window to show the remaining nine teams just what he is capable of. Of course 15 goals in 45 games won’t do him any harm. Kenny Cunningham will also give the Heart defence some headaches.

Prediction

My heart says Heart (of course it does) and my head says Heart.  I’m hoping for a comfortable 2-0 win, but this time of the season I’ll take the three points any way they come.

FTSAL Fact

Heart Fact: AAMI Park is only one of two stadiums where Heart have a positive goal difference (+6), Allianz is the other stadium (+3).

Phoenix Fact: Wellington have only won once in Melbourne, luckily for their fans it was this season against Heart.

Bonus Fact: For those attending the game on Sunday head to Federation square beforehand.  The annual Thai festival should provide you with a great lunch, and possibly a Singha.

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