The Stats Zone
October 17 2024, 22:43 · Alex Lawes

Wellington Phoenix vs Western United Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Australian A-League

Wellington Phoenix vs Western United Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Australian A-League

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Last season, the Wellington Phoenix narrowly missed out on the A League regular season title, finishing as runners’ up to Central Coast Mariners by two points as they now come up against one of last year’s strugglers, Western United.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 20th October, 2024: UK – 4:00am / Saturday 19th October, 2024: US ET – 11:00pm / US PT – 8:00pm

HOW TO WATCH/STREAM: UK – YouTube / US – ESPN / Australia – Paramount+

WELLINGTON PHOENIX TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT AND AVAILABLE

After such an impressive season, Wellington Phoenix have had to put up with the sales of some key players such as Alex Paulsen to AFC Bournemouth, Ben Old to Saint-Etienne and Finn Surman to Portland Timbers.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): A. Kelly-Heald; Sheridan, Wootton, Hughes; Van Hattum, Al Taay, Conchie, L. Kelly-Heald; Walker, Supyk, Sloane-Rodrigues

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

WESTERN UNITED TEAM NEWS: NO INJURIES

It has been a quiet summer transfer window for Western United with just three arrivals, despite such a poor season last year. They have lost a couple of key players such as Lachlan Wales and Daniel Penha to Gyeongnam and Atletico Mineiro respectively.

PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Heward-Belle; Russell, York, Donachie, Garuccio; Danzaki, Pasquali, Thurgate, Grimaldi; Bozinovski, Lavale

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

WELLINGTON PHOENIX VS WESTERN UNITED PREDICTION

The Wellington Phoenix were excellent last season and genuinely challenged for the regular season title but they lost some key players in the off season and were then beaten by South Melbourne in the first round of the Australia Cup. They face a Western United side that will still likely be as indifferent and ineffective as they were last year so a home win remains most likely but it is expected to be a more unconvincing victory than perhaps would have been the case last season.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX VS WESTERN UNITED TIP: WELLINGTON PHOENIX TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS