Preview: Wellington Phoenix vs. Perth Glory - prediction, team news, lineups

While the hosts are higher up in the table, the visitors are heading into this match with confidence as they are unbeaten in their previous four matches.

Match preview

Wellington Phoenix have had a strong start to the campaign which is showcased by the fact they currently sit fourth in the A-League.

A victory on Saturday has the potential of seeing them climb into second place depending on other results, and their recent form will provide confidence to the team that it is possible to achieve.

The Nix are undefeated in their previous three matches, winning each game, and picking up two clean sheets along the way.

While Wellington did concede last weekend, that was in the 92nd minute of the match, proving to be nothing more than a consolation for Central Coast Mariners.

Ufuk Talay has seen his team play a lot more frantically in their home fixtures this season, scoring and conceding more in those matches, and more control is something he will be searching for from his men this time out.

History from this season is on the side of the hosts achieving that goal considering the poor form of Perth Glory on the road throughout this campaign.

In their seven away matches to date Ruben Zadkovich's men have managed to win just one, losing all of the others.

Considering the fact that they are undefeated at home, it is these fixtures that are currently stunting Perth Glory's season, as they would be in a much stronger position if they could turn them around.

The Glory do head into Saturday on the back of a four-match run without a loss, and while all of those took place at home it should have instilled some momentum and belief into the team.

Their most recent outing showcased the quality that the team have in an attacking sense as they defeated Melbourne Victory 3-1, and a repeat of that result would massively help their current standing.

Wellington Phoenix Australian A-League form:

W

D

L

W

W

W

Perth Glory Australian A-League form:

D

L

W

W

D

W

Team News

Oskar Zawada once again got on the scoresheet for Wellington Phoenix in their most recent match, and with that being his sixth of the campaign he will certainly retain his place.

Scott Wootton was not available in that victory against Central Coast Marines due to a calf strain, and that is expected to keep him out for the next month.

While Nicholas Pennington did not return to the team following his suspension, Bozhidar Kraev was brought straight back into the starting XI, which should be the case again here.

Speaking of suspensions, that is something that Perth Glory will be dealing with this weekend after Jack Clisby was sent off in their most recent match.

Adam Taggart has enjoyed five goals against Saturday's opponents throughout his 11 matches against them throughout his career, and that should give him some confidence heading into this one, especially after scoring twice last weekend.

Perth Glory also have the chance to hand a debut to experienced defender Jordan Elsey who they signed this week to a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Wellington Phoenix possible starting lineup:

Sail; Elliot, Laws, Payne, Mauragis; Barbarouses, Lewis, Kraev, Rufer; Ball, Zawada

Perth Glory possible starting lineup:

Cook; Lachman, Elsey, Koutroumbis, Khelifi; Forde, Duncan, Amini, Jelacic; Dowse, Ivanovic

We say: Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Perth Glory

Perth Glory head into this match with a lot of confidence due to their recent results and that should lead to them providing a real test on Saturday.

Unfortunately, their dismal away form is something that instantly makes Wellington Phoenix the favourites to take all three points.

Previews by email