At the start of the season you would not have picked this to be an 8th versus 11th clash.
Last season's premiers Sydney FC meet last season's third-placed side Wellington Phoenix with both clubs staring down the barrel although in the case of the Phoenix, they have one game in hand and are only a win out of being in the thick of it.
Sydney have commenced their season in horrible form and will need to pull out something special here but the Phoenix have not lost at Westpac Stadium in 21 matches and have a key inclusion in defender Jade North indicating they will not be dropping this one.
Verdict: Phoenix 2-0.
Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FCDate: Saturday, 11 September 2010 Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington Local kick-off: 7.15pm (5.15pm AEST) Head-to-Head: Played 10: Wellington Phoenix 3 wins, Sydney FC 6 wins (1 draw) Referee: Chris Beath
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD & on Sky Sports 3. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1035AM The Radio Network (Wellington), SBS Digital Radio 6 (Sydney). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Nick WARD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Oscar Roberto CORNEJO, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 15. Jade NORTH, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Dylan MACALLISTER *three to be omitted* In: Manny MUSCAT (return from international duty), Oscar Roberto CORNEJO (promoted), Jade NORTH (new signing) Out: Nil Unavailable: Diego WALSH (knee - 1 week), Reece CROWTHER (gk, ribs - 5 weeks)
Sydney FC squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 10. Nick CARLE, 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 16. Terry ANTONIS, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23. Rhyan GRANT *two to be omitted* In: Nil Out: Terry MCFLYNN (Hamstring - 1 week), Alex BROSQUE (Ankle - 1 week), Antony GOLEC, Matthew JURMAN Unavailable: Nil
