The Western Sydney Wanderers travel to face Wellington Phoenix looking to win five games in a row for the first time in nine years.
Alen Stajcic’s side are the form team in the A-League Men right now, and will be confident of keeping their momentum going despite having a week off due to the international break.
Their come from behind win over Melbourne Victory before the break was one of their best in many years, showcasing the determination, spirit and attacking firepower that has underlined the Wanderers’ current run of form.
They found themselves 2-0 down after 40 minutes, but managed to halve the deficit before half-time, and then in a thrilling final 15 minutes scored three unanswered goals to secure a 4-2 win at a bouncing CommBank Stadium.
The Wanderers have shot to third as a result, and have the top two in their sights with six games to go in the regular season.
They will have supreme belief in themselves, having already broken their record for most goals in a season with 47 in 20 games; Nicolas Milanovic has nine goals, but five players have six goals or more this season, showing they are a threat from anywhere.
Brandon Borrello ended a goal drought against Melbourne, and will also be buoyed by two wins for the Socceroos during the international period.
Bozhidar Kraev also made a return to Bulgaria’s national team in the Nations League play-offs, starting the second leg against the Republic of Ireland.
The Wanderers will be full of belief, especially considering the poor form of their opponents.
Wellington may have wowed the league last year by almost making the grand final, but player exits have taken its toll, being winless in their last seven and all but falling out of finals contention.
They managed to break a four game losing run in a come from behind draw against our crosstown rivals, but heavy defeats including losing 4-1 to Western United and a 6-1 hammering in the New Zealand derby underline their fall from grace this season, and has put the pressure on coach Giancarlo Italiano in the final year of his contract.
Goals have been a huge problem for Wellington, having the second worst attack in the league with just 19 goals, averaging less than a goal a game.
Kosta Barbarouses seems to be the only bright spot for the Phoenix, scoring eight goals for the campaign, but he has had no support from his teammates up front.
Wellington have also struggled to pick a number one goalkeeper, though their hand has been forced after Alby Kelly-Herald suffered a season ending injury.
The only thing seeming to go in Wellington’s favour is their record at home against the Wanderers, being unbeaten in their last 10 matches against the Red and Black in New Zealand.
This includes a last gasp 2-0 win last season, which happened in spite of the Wanderers dominating proceedings.
The Wanderers got revenge earlier in the season, scoring after less than a minute and running rampant in a 4-1 win.
They scored two in the opening nine minutes, with Kraev netting against his old club, and the win was rounded off by a Dylan Scicluna screamer in stoppage time.
Scicluna is unfortunately still out with a long term injury, but the duo of Oscar Priestman and Josh Brillante is beginning to find its groove in recent weeks.
The Wanderers could close the gap to second place Western United to one point, having also played a game less; a win would also give the Wanderers’ Finals hopes a huge boost.
