Round 25 Wellington v Adelaide
Wellington and Adelaide meet on Sunday for their 3rd encounter since February 1st this year, with both teams seemingly heading in opposite directions. After a midseason revival, the Phoenix are no longer rising and are leaking goals like it’s nobody’s business. Whilst Wellington remain a mathematical chance of making the finals, their season is all but over. Adelaide have been building towards something since Gombau’s arrival, and are hitting form at the right end of the season. Adelaide will see this game as an opportunity to solidify their position in the top 6.
Wellington were on the end of another hammering last week, this time away to the Newcastle Jets. The Phoenix didn’t offer much in what was a meek performance, dominated by the Jets from start to finish. The huge defeat compounded a poor run of form for Wellington, going winless throughout March thus far. This defeat was also the third occasion this season in which the Phoenix have shipped 5 goals, they will need to lift immensely if they are going to be any chance of taking points off of Adelaide.
Adelaide head into this encounter on the back of a strong home victory over Sydney FC, coming away 3-1 victors on the night. United put in a convincing performance at Coopers Stadium in front of 14,000 fans, however Adelaide have been strong at home all season. United’s foreign contingent are in superb form, and will lead the charge in New Zealand as United try to take all 3 points for only the 2nd occasion at Westpac Stadium. Gombau’s men should cause Wellington headaches all day long, and will be confident of taking all 3 points back to Adelaide.
Form guide
Played: 21 Wellington: 5 Draw: 6 Adelaide: 10
Last 5 games
Wellington: WLDDL (5 points)
Adelaide: LWLDW (7 points)
Absentee List
Wellington: Leo Bertos, Josh Brindell-South, Reece Caira, Louis Fenton, Paul Ifill, Albert Riera (injured).
Adelaide: Cassio, Jonathan McKain (injured).
Possible XI
Wellington: Moss; Muscat, Sigmund, Durante, Timmins; Ridenton, Lia, Cunningham, Hernandez; Boyd, Huysegems.
Adelaide: Galekovic; Elrich, Marrone, Boogaard, Zullo; Isais, Watson, Carrusca; Ferreira, Djite, Cirio.
Eyes On
Fabio Ferreira The Portuguese attacker has been in scintillating form, and was all over the Sydney FC backline last weekend. Ferreira capped his performance off with a fine goal, embarrassing Sasa Ognenovski with ease and applying a classy finish. With the class of Ognenovski unable to handle the livewire Ferreira, Wellington are going to have all kinds of problems trying to limit his output. Expect Fabio to have a large influence in the outcome of this fixture.
Prediction
Wellington are playing for nothing but pride in this encounter, I expect Adelaide to take even this away from them. Adelaide’s foreign contingent are going to leave the Phoenix backline with their pants down, I expect goals and lots of them. If I was a betting man, which I am, I’m going 4-1 to Adelaide at the Cake Tin.
FTSAUS Fact
Wellington have the worst home record of the league this season, taking 14 points from a possible 33.
Jeronimo Neumann is one goal away from his 10th of the season, which would equal Dario Vidosic’s effort as Adelaide’s top scorer last season.
The last time a team was kept goalless in this match up was way back in 2011, Adelaide beating Wellington 2-0 on the 30th of December.
Images – Getty Images
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