Sydney FC Women will make their return to Allianz Stadium when they host Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.
Ante Juric’s side have found the Moore Park venue to be of great success in the past, yet to taste defeat in the league since then, only losing out to Western United in finals on one occasion.
He will be keen to face the New Zealand side who have had mixed form as of late but come off the back of a 2-0 victory against the Newcastle Jets at Sky Stadium.
As for the Sky Blues, they come into this game with a decent run of form but they found the going tough against Brisbane Roar last weekend.
Cortnee Vine cancelled out Ashlee Brodigan’s first half effort and Juric’s side found it difficult to break down the very defensive Roar who protected their point with all they had.
It is of slight concern for the Sky Blues that they don’t seem to be finding the net with the ease that they did last season yet to score more than once in a game since December.
However, they have been relatively solid in defence, keeping a clean sheet in two of their last three matches and boast the best goals against ratio in the league.
They do sit sixth on the table as it currently stands and while it may not look the best at the moment, they have two games in hand on the rest of the competition which they will play in January.
Unfortunately for this clash, the Sky Blues will be without defender Nat Tobin and Lucy Johnson who remain sidelined through injury. Also, Shea Connors will spend some time on the treatment table after she picked up a foot training at injury and scans have confirmed that it is broken. She will hopefully be back soon with the games coming thick and fast.
As for the Wellington Phoenix, this season they have been much improved on their first two. For the last two seasons, they finished bottom of the pile and under Paul Temple this campaign, they have been rejuvenated along with the introduction of a few international signings.
Last weekend they hosted the Jets at home and were too good for Gary Van Egmond’s side thanks to an emphatic penalty from Mariana Speckmaier and a quick-fire second from Hope Breslin.
Their victory came at a cost however with goalkeeper Rylee Foster picking up a head knock and rumoured to not be risked this weekend considering her history with concussions. This opens the door for Brianna Edwards who had a great game last season against the Sky Blues, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory for the visitors.
That was the only match that the Phoenix had won against Sydney FC in their short history with Ante Juric’s side winning the other three matches, scoring nine goals un-answered in those games.
This should be an intriguing match-up between two sides who are playing an entertaining brand of football and creating a good atmosphere at their matches.
A win in this match-up will catapult Sydney FC up the table but if the Nix were to find victory, they will replace Perth Glory in second who play on New Year’s Eve.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix
Liberty A-League Round Ten
Friday 29th December 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 5:00pm AEDT
Gates Open: 4:30pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
Matchday Partner: Navarra Venues
