Wellington Phoenix vs Auckland Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Australian A-League
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After finishing as runners’ up in the regular season of the A League last year, it has been a strong start to the campaign for the Wellington Phoenix as they face the only team to have started the 2024/25 campaign in A League newcomers, Auckland, this weekend, in a New Zealand derby.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 2nd November, 2024: UK – 4:00am / US ET – 12:00am / Friday 1st November, 2024 - US PT – 9:00pm
HOW TO WATCH/STREAM: UK – YouTube / US – ESPN / Australia – Paramount+
WELLINGTON PHOENIX TEAM NEWS: SAME ABSENTEES
Wellington Phoenix still have a few injury concerns for this derby day game against Auckland. Lukas Kelly-Heald is unavailable for the Phoenix alongside defensive midfielder Paulo Retre and winger Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Oluwayemi; Payne, Sheridan, Wootton, Hughes, Sutton; Conchie, Rufer, Nagasawa; Barbarouses, Ishige
UNAVAILABLE: Kelly-Heald (Injured), Sloane-Rodrigues (Injured), Retre (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
AUCKLAND TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT
After creating their squad over the summer, Auckland have been able to name a full strength side in each of their opening games with no injury concerns or suspension issues for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Paulsen; Sakai, Hall, Pijnaker, De Vries; Verstraete, Gallegos; Rogerson, Howieson, Gillion; May
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
WELLINGTON PHOENIX VS AUCKLAND PREDICTION
This derby game is one between two of the seemingly stronger sides in the division. The Wellington Phoenix have lost a few of the key players that saw them finish high last season but have still collected four points from two games whilst Auckland, in their first season as a franchise, have begun with back-to-back victories without conceding against Brisbane Roar and then a strong Sydney side in which they scored a 97th minute winner. Whilst that is impressive, Phoenix should give them their first loss of the season, especially with home advantage.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX VS AUCKLAND TIP: WELLINGTON PHOENIX TO WIN
