Champions Sydney FC welcome former Assistant Coach Ufuk Talay and his Wellington Phoenix side back to Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, with the Sky Blues looking to make it two wins from two to start the season.
Talay, who was assistant as the Sky Blues won the title last season, will hope to use his intimate knowledge of the club to Phoenix’s advantage at Leichhardt Oval.
Phoenix’s new-look squad failed to fire in the opening round loss to Western United FC but will hope to come way with an upset in this one.
In contrast, the Sky Blues were streetwise in their season-opening 3-2 win over the Reds in Adelaide.
Striker Adam Le Fondre – who scored a double – looks in superb early-season form, while new boys Kosta Barbarouses and Alexander Baumjohann will be motivated to perform in their first outing in front of the home fans.
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Sunday, October 20 2019
Kick-off: 6.00pm AEDT
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
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Match centre: Live updates, videos and statistics
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Team news
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Patrick FLOTTMANN, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 5.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 6.Ryan McGOWAN, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 16.Joel KING, 17.Anthony CACERES, 18.Luke IVANOVIC, 19.Chris ZUVELA, 20.Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 21.Harry VAN DER SAAG, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 24.Marco TILIO, 26.Luke BRATTAN, 27.Jordi SWIBEL.
**Two to be omitted**
In: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk) (return from international duty), 2.Patrick FLOTTMANN (return from International duty), 19. Chris ZUVELA (promoted), 23.Rhyan GRANT (International duty), 24. Marco TILIO (promoted)
Out: 40. Tristan PRENDERGAST (Not Selected).
Unavailable: 3.Ben WARLAND (ACL – indefinite), 7.Michael ZULLO (leg – 1 week), 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (ACL – indefinite), 25.Ryan TEAGUE (International duty).
Did you know?
- Sydney FC has won seven of their last nine Hyundai A-League games against Wellington Phoenix (D1, L1), including their last two on the bounce by scores of 1-0.
- There has been an average of four goals per game scored between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix in their last five A-League games hosted by the Sky Blues, with only one clean sheet kept in that time (to Sydney FC).
- Adam Le Fondre has scored four goals in his last three Hyundai A-League games, including a penalty.
