One of the highlights of the Australian Professional Soccer League is set to take place this coming weekend as Western Union welcome Wellington Phoenix to Mars Stadium. Western Union didn't have a good start to the new season. After beating Melbourne City 2-1 in the first match of the season, they suffered four consecutive defeats and are currently at the bottom of the league. In their last round of matches, they went down 1-3 at home to Adelaide United, with Rockland Welsh equalizing for his side in the 53rd minute, but then Adelaide scored two more goals to secure the win.
In contrast, the Wellington Phoenix are undefeated this season and currently sit in second place in the league with 11 points, just behind the Western Sydney Wanderers on goal difference. In the last round of matches, Bozhidar Krayev's goal in the 48th minute helped the Phoenix to a narrow 1-0 win over Melbourne City.
The all-time head-to-head record between the two teams shows the Wellington Phoenix as slight favorites, with the Phoenix going 8-3 with one draw in 12 meetings in all competitions**. Last season, both teams won on each other's home turf, including a 3-0 win for the Phoenix in February. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by a total of more than 2.5 goals, with the Phoenix leading the series by a combined score of 12-6 over that span.
Western United have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions and have failed to score in four of those games in that time. Wellington Phoenix, on the other hand, are unbeaten in the league this season, although both of their away games this season have ended in draws. However, the hosts have been poor in attack this season, scoring just three goals in four games.
It is expected that WSL head coach John Aloisi will field a similar starting lineup for this match as he did last week, while the only missing player is James Donaghy. On the other side, the Phoenix are having a decent season, winning three of their five matches so far, and it's worth noting that all three wins have come in home matches, while both away matches ended in draws. Phoenix top scorer Oscar Zawada will miss the trip to Victoria West with a groin injury. Coach Giancarlo Italiano, on the other hand, has a healthy squad and will field a strong starting lineup.
