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December 9 2024, 21:59 · Alex Lawes

Wellington Phoenix vs Macarthur Preview: Team News & Prediction

Wellington Phoenix vs Macarthur Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It has been an inconsistent start to the season for Wellington Phoenix with three wins, a draw and two defeats as they now take on a similarly inconsistent Macarthur side in New Zealand.

Kick-off date/time: Friday 13th December, 2024: UK – 4:00am / Thursday 12th December, 2024 - US ET – 11:00pm / US PT – 8:00pm

How to watch on TV/online: UK – YouTube / US – ESPN / Australia – Paramount+

Wellington Phoenix Team News: Couple of issues

The Wellington Phoenix have no fresh injury concerns for this weekend but they are dealing with a couple of absentees with full-back Lukas Kelly-Heald sidelined for the New Zealanders alongside midfielder Fin Roa Conchie. 

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Oluwayemi; Sheridan, Hughes, Wootton, Sutton; Retre, Rufer; Payne, Nagasawa, Ishige; Barbarouses

Unavailable: Kelly-Heald (Injured), Conchie (Injured)

Questionable: 

Macarthur Team News: Long-term absentees

Much like their upcoming opponents, there is no need to change the team for Macarthur with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues but they are still without Chris Ikonomidis and Bernardo Oliveira for this weekend.

Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Kurto; Adamson, Arslangic, Jones, Vujica; Drew, Rose, Brattan, Jakolis; Hollman; Germain

Unavailable: Ikonomidis (Injured), Oliveira (Injured)

Questionable: 

Wellington Phoenix vs Macarthur Prediction

The Wellington Phoenix come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat to league leaders Auckland in their most recent outing in the New Zealand derby last weekend, becoming the first team to score past the Aucklanders this season, despite having notched just eight times so far this season. They face a Macarthur side that have scored just eight goals in six matches since winning 6-1 on the opening day of the campaign against Perth Glory. Given those respective scoring records, a low-scoring encounter is to be expected for this one. 

Wellington Phoenix vs Macarthur Tip: Under 2.5 goals