Preview: Brisbane Roar vs. Wellington Phoenix - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors currently sit seventh in the A-League but have the opportunity to leapfrog their opponents if they can secure three points in the game.

Match preview

Brisbane Roar have had a mixed season so far in terms of form with three wins and two defeats, but it is the six draws that have stopped them from truly climbing up the table.

No team in the division has been pushed to share points more times this season than the Lions, which is something that they need to turn around for the remainder of the campaign.

Despite that, they would have happily taken a point on Tuesday night when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Perth Glory when an own goal from Scott Neville cost them the game.

Considering the fact they have only lost a single game at home in the league this season, there should be no shortage of confidence going into this one though even with the recent loss.

That is especially true because defensively they have conceded just five goals in their seven home matches, and only two teams in the entire league have a better defensive record this season.

Wellington Phoenix will be out to change all of that on Saturday though, especially because they can climb the table with a victory and overtake Brisbane Boar.

Not only that, but three points could technically take them as high as fourth place depending on other results, putting plenty of pressure on this particular fixture for the visitors.

After consecutive games without a win Ufuk Talay will have been pleased by the fact his team secured a positive result in their recent outing against Sydney FC with Oskar Zawada's 10th-minute goal proving to be decisive.

However, Talay will have been less happy with the discipline his team showed as they gave away two penalties in stoppage time and ended up finishing the game with just nine men.

Bozhidar Kraev was the first to be sent for an early shower and before the game was finished he would be joined by Nicholas Pennington.

Brisbane Roar Australian A-League form:

D

W

D

D

W

L

Wellington Phoenix Australian A-League form:

L

D

W

D

L

W

Team News

Brisbane are expected to be active in the January transfer window which opened up this week for them as the club looks for a replacement up front after losing Charlie Austin.

While that search takes place it is likely that Nikola Mileusnic will once again lead the line for the Lions as he looks to push the team offensively.

The hosts will also be without Jay O'Shea for this one after he was sent off in the previous match, meaning a change will be needed in the heart of the midfield.

Discipline issues caused problems for the visitors recently as well, and because of that, they will be without both Pennington and Kraev for this game as their suspensions kick in.

Zawada has four goals in six games for Wellington though, and he should be bringing a lot of confidence into this game because of that.

Brisbane Roar possible starting lineup:

Holmes; Hingert, Neville, Champman, Hingert, Courtney-Perkin,s, Knowles; Mileusnic, Trewin, Hore, Armiento; Mileusenic

Wellington Phoenix possible starting lineup:

Sail; Elliot, Wootton, Payne, Mauragis; Yan Sasse, Lewis, Ugarkovic, Rufer; Ball, Zawada

We say: Brisbane Roar 1-1 Wellington Phoenix

Brisbane Roar have been the draw specialists of the A-League so far this season, and that is something that could continue on Saturday.

The visitors will provide a stern test, but considering the Lions have been defensively sound throughout this campaign, a low-scoring draw could be how this one goes.

Previews by email