Round 26: Sydney v Wellington

Wellington and Adelaide meet on Sunday for their 25^th encounter between the two sides, with Sydney looking to cement their position in the top 6 whilst Wellington hold on to slim hopes of a finals berth. Wellington’s recent performances are flattering to deceive and they look far from a finals contender. Arguably, the same could be said about Sydney FC, whom have battled their way through an underwhelming season under Frank Farina, somehow finding themselves in the top 6 having lost more games than won.

Sydney travelled to Melbourne last week and returned home with a point, Sydney’s 3^rd draw of the season. It was an unusually dour affair between the cross city rivals, with the Sky Blues seemingly happy to leave Melbourne with a draw from the outset.  Sydney still seem like a team that are yet to get started this season, and dominant performances are unlikely to come in upcoming fixtures. Del Piero has lacked the lustre of his debut year in Sky Blue, with the rest of the squad over reliant on patches of brilliance from the 39 year old veteran.

Wellington were somewhat unlucky in losing 1-0 to Adelaide at home last week. Phoenix have been ‘unlucky’ throughout the entire season though, so perhaps it is no longer a lack of luck, rather a lack of all-around quality from Wellington. The injury to key man Albert Riera all but killed off Wellington’s hopes, such is the plight of any team without a lot of depth but plenty of injuries in a salary capped league. Phoenix weren’t convincingly beat by Adelaide, but United did only what was asked of them to take the points. Phoenix face an uphill battle to make the finals, needing to take 6 points from a possible 6 remaining and for results to go their way, although an away match against Sydney does provide them a chance to take all 3 points.

Sydney have typically found it hard to deal with Wellington, and actually have a losing record against the club. Despite Wellington’s recent form, they may just cause Sydney problems. Sydney typically struggle with teams whom pile players forward, mainly due to the lack of defensive input from marquee man Alessandro Del Piero, and Wellington will look to exploit this. Wellington defeated Sydney FC 1-0 last time out at the Westpac, and thoroughly outplayed the boys in blue earlier in the season on Sydney’s home soil and were unlucky to lose 2-1.  This may not be the most enthralling encounter, but it will help to shape the final composition of the top 6.

Form guide

Played: 24. Sydney: 11. Draw: 1. Wellington: 12.

Last 5 games

Sydney: LWDLD

Wellington: LDDLL

Absentee List

Sydney: Rhyan Grant, Pedj Bojic, Ranko Despotovic, Terry McFlynn (injured).

Wellington: Lewis Italiano, Leo Bertos, Josh Brindell-South, Reece Caira, Louis Fenton, Paul Ifill, Albert Riera (injured), Manny Muscat (suspended).

Possible XI

Sydney: Janjetovic; Ryall, Petkovic, Ognenovski, Jurman; Dimitrijevic, Abbas, Antonis; Chianese, Del Piero, Garcia

Wellington: Moss; Boxall, Sigmund, Durante, Timmins; Ridenton, Lia, Cunningham, Hernandez; Boyd, Huysegems.

Eyes On

Vedran Janjetovic. It’s rare that a goalkeeper is called the player to watch, but Vedran has been a class above for the majority of the season, challenging Mark Birighitti as the best keeper in the league. Without Vedran it is almost certain that Sydney would not find themselves in the top 6. Janjetovic’s penalty stop against Mark Bridge will go down in A-League folklore, and the young keeper has come into his own as a real leader on the pitch for Sydney at the back end of this season. One or two sharp saves from Janjetovic may just deliver a much needed 3 points for Sydney FC.

 

Prediction

This is a hard game to pick. Every time Sydney FC are expected to win, they usually falter. Phoenix have almost always caused headaches for the Sky Blues. I think Phoenix might just outplay the Sky Blues, but with too many quality players in the sheds, they will struggle to convert chances and possession into goals. Both teams have struggled to keep clean sheets of late, but I believe Ognenovski, Petkovic and Janjetovic might just be enough to keep Wellington to nil. 1-0 to Sydney in yet another Sydney FC scrappy performance.

FTSAUS Facts

• Ali Abbas is set to play his 50^th game in Sky Blue.
• Sydney FC have not kept a clean sheet at home for 7 games.
• Wellington has a winning record against Sydney, winning 12 of their 24 meetings.

 

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