Wellington Phoenix will be looking to move into the playoff places when they play host to Adelaide United in round eight of the A-League on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last five league outings and will journey to the Wellington Regional Stadium seeking to continue in the same vein.
Match preview
Wellington Phoenix failed to return to winning ways as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Western Sydney Wanderers when the sides squared off last Saturday.
Following an uneventful first half, the game sparked to life shortly after the hour mark when Bozhidar Kraev broke the deadlock before Yeni N'Gbakoto netted in the 79th minute to forge a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, the Phoenix picked up their first win of the season on November 6, when they brushed aside Macarthur 4-1 on home turf before losing 3-2 at the hands of Western United one week later.
While Ufuk Talay's side have been potent in attack, they have struggled to lay a foothold at the defensive end of the pitch, where they currently hold the league's second-worst record with 13 goals conceded in seven matches — only behind Western United (18).
With seven points from a possible 21, Wellington Phoenix are currently ninth in the A-League standings, but could potentially move level on points with fourth-placed Sydney FC with all three points this weekend.
Adelaide United, on the other hand, failed to secure a fourth league victory on the bounce as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brisbane Roar at the Kayo Stadium last Friday.
Following a drab first half, 25-year-old forward George Blackwood put the visitors ahead with a 72nd-minute strike before Jay O'Shea levelled matters from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
However, Carl Veart's men head into the weekend unbeaten in their last five outings, picking up three wins and two draws since a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Macarthur on October 16.
Adelaide United have picked up three wins, three draws and lost just one of their opening seven matches to collect 12 points and sit third in the league standings, four points off first-placed Melbourne City.
The Reds will be backing themselves to return to winning ways this weekend as they take on a Wellington Phoenix side against whom they are unbeaten in 16 of the last 20 meetings between the teams, claiming eight wins and eight draws since February 2012.
Team News
Talay will be unable to call upon 26-year-old midfielder Alex Rufer, who has been out of action since March when he sustained a severe injury.
He is joined on the Wellington Phoenix injury table by fellow New Zealand international Finn Surman, who sustained an injury back in October.
Meanwhile, Adelaide United will be without the services of Isaias, who will serve a one-match suspension after receiving his marching orders in last week's game against the Roar.
In his absence, 21-year-old Louis D'Arrigo will push for a starting role in the centre of the park, teaming up with experienced midfielder Juande Prados.
On the injury front, the Reds remain without the likes of Zach Clough, Steven Hall and Bernardo, while Harry Van Der Saag is a doubt after missing the trip to Brisbane Roar.
Wellington Phoenix possible starting lineup:
Sail; Elliot, Wootton, Payne, Mauragis; Ugarkovic, Lewis, Sasse, Kraev; Ball, Zawada
Adelaide United possible starting lineup:
Gauci; Lopez, Barr, Popovic, Kitto; D'Arrigo, Prados; Halloran Alagich, Cavallo; Ibusuki
We say: Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Adelaide United
After stumbling into the new campaign, Adelaide United have quickly hit their stride and put together a fine run of results in recent weeks. The Reds have enjoyed the better of this fixture and we are backing them to take the positives from their draw against Brisbane Roar and claim all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
