Sunday’s first A-League Round 25 match is between Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United. The opening kick-off is set to commence at 1pm with the game to be played at Westpac Stadium. The away team Adelaide United are the favourites for the match. View our live scores and teams for the game between Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United.
Round: Round 25, Sunday March 30 at 1pm AEDT.
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Head to head: Played: 21, Wins: Phoenix 5, Adelaide 10, Draws: 6
Previous encounter: Adelaide 5-1 Phoenix, February 27 2014
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Odds Comparison:
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| Wellington Phoenix | 2.87 | 2.90 | 2.75 | 2.90 | 2.87 | 2.80 |
| Draw | 3.40 | 3.50 | 3.35 | 3.50 | 3.40 | 3.25 |
| Adelaide United | 2.40 | 2.30 | 2.40 | 2.30 | 2.40 | 2.38 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Preview:
The Phoenix play Adelaide on Sunday, 1.00PM at Westpac Stadium. Adelaide have a great record against the New Zealand side, with 10 wins and 6 draws out of 21 games. They also smashed the Phoenix in their last encounter, beating them 5-1 in their last game just a few weeks ago. While Wellington can still make the finals in theory, it is looking more and more unlikely each week due to injuries and average results.
Adelaide United are in much better position for this time of year, although they are not far away from danger in fifth place. They will go into this match as big favourites, however, with a win here almost ensuring a top six finish. Wellington have simply got too many injuries to deal with, and even at home, they don’t have the momentum or the talent to keep their hopes alive.
Teams:
Wellington Phoenix squad:
1.Glen MOSS (GK), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 5.Michael BOXALL, 9.Kenny CUNNINGHAM, 10.Stein HUYSEGEMS, 11.Jeremy BROCKIE, 12.Tyler BOYD, 14.Alex RUFER, 15.Jason HICKS, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 19.Hamish WATSON, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 21.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 24.Roy KRISHNA, 25.Shaun TIMMINS
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 14.Alex RUFER (promoted), 18.Ben SIGMUND (returns from suspension), 21.Carlos HERNANDEZ (returns from injury)…
Outs: Luke ADAMS (omitted).
Unavailable: 3.Reece CAIRA (fractured cheekbone 6-8 weeks), 6.Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH (ankle injury 4-6 weeks), 7.Leo BERTOS (groin injury (2 to 3 weeks), 8.Paul IFILL (ruptured Achilles, season), 13.Albert RIERA (groin injury, season), 6.Louis FENTON (shoulder injury, season).
Adelaide United squad:
1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) (c), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.JERONIMO, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Bruce DJITE, 14.Cameron WATSON, 17.Awer MABIL, 18.Michael ZULLO, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 25.Ryan KITTO (promoted), 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 25.Ryan KITTO (promoted), 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (promoted)
Outs: 4.Jon McKAIN (quad 1 – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 6.CASSIO (hamstring tendon – indefinite)
News:
Adelaide teen Awer Mabil couldn’t help but wince with every goal Newcastle scored against Wellington last weekend, knowing how embarrassed and hurt the Phoenix players would have been after the 5-0 drubbing.
And he expects the Reds to feel the full force as the Kiwi side go in search of redemption at Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Phoenix’s final hopes may be hanging by a thread but Mabil knows they won’t give his side an easy ride, despite Adelaide prevailing 5-1 when the two clubs met just last month.
“Wellington is a good team and we know it’s not a good place to go to try and get a result,” Mabil told footballaustralia.com.au.
“It’s always hard playing against a team that has lost the week before but they will be extra motivated after the way they lost. You always want to bounce back and redeem yourselves and they will want it more than anyone.
“It’s going to be a tough game, they have been playing good at home but we need to get a win to stay in the (top six) so we’re going there for a result.”
Adelaide moved up to fifth after last weekend’s 3-1 win over Sydney but still need a couple more victories over the last three rounds to secure their finals berth.
And Mabil is confident no matter where the finish in the top six, the free-scoring Reds will fear no team when it comes to sudden-death football.
“We’ve got an unbelievable squad with some amazing players and with the system the coach is playing I think if we get into the finals we can really hurt teams,” the 18-year-old said.
“It’s just a matter of doing what we need to do now to get there and going into the finals in good form. We have scored the most goals (in the A-League) so we have plenty of confidence…we can beat anyone.”
After getting a small taste of the A-League last season, Mabil has made 17 appearances this campaign and made a significant impact in a side chock-full of attacking talent.
Asked how he has found the step-up to the A-League this season, Mabil said: “It’s been tough. Obviously I’m playing with older guys now and it’s more physical and mental as well.
“You have to be strong. A lot of people have ability but you have to also play the game with your brain and be smart about it.
“You need to be strong mentally because there’s a lot of people that will try to bring you down but you have to keep adapting. Josep (Gombau) has been great and given me the confidence to just go out and play my game.”