With Besart Berisha free to play, Melbourne Victory will aim for a seventh consecutive win, while Wellington Phoenix have their eyes on a finals berth.
SQUADS
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Jacob TRATT, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 5.Ryan LOWRY, 7.Gui FINKLER, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.Michael McGLINCHEY, 11.Hamish WATSON, 12.Adam PARKHOUSE, 13.Marco ROSSI, 17.Vince LIA, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 99.Shane SMELTZ
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 21.Roy KRISHNA (returns from suspension)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Melbourne Victory squad: 2.Jason GERIA, 4.Nick ANSELL, 5.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Marco ROJAS, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Max BEISTER, 10.James TROISI, 11.Mitch AUSTIN, 13.Oliver BOZANIC, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 15.Alan BARO, 16.Rashid MAHAZI, 17.James DONACHIE, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 23.Jai INGHAM, 40.Matt ACTON (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 9.Max BEISTER (promoted), 15.Alan BARO (returns from suspension)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 27.Alastair BRAY (gk) (shoulder – 3-4 months)
BLUFFER'S GUIDE
The Phoenix moved within touching distance of the top six after a well-deserved win over Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
Now in the second of three straight home games in a week – they also host Brisbane Roar on Saturday - Wellington could move into the finals places if they can topple the A-League's most rampant outfit.
This fixture was postponed from Round 7 due to an earthquake in New Zealand and much has changed for both sides since then.
For one, the Phoenix are now under new management with Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre in charge for the last six games.
The duo has overseen a marked improvement, with just one defeat in six games since they took over from Ernie Merrick.
But while Wellington have been strong over the last six matches, Victory have been nothing short of sensational.
Kevin Muscat has his side purring, with Friday night's crazy thriller of a 3-2 win over the Roar their sixth on the bounce.
Win this one and Victory will close within two points of unbeaten Sydney FC at the top of the A-League table.
Victory tore Phoenix to shreds when they met earlier this season, with a Besart Berisha hat-trick helping them to a 6-1 drubbing at the end of October.
Wellington will have striker Roy Krishna back from suspension, while Berisha is available for the visitors after his red card against Roar was rescinded.
ROUTE TO GOAL
Michael McGlinchey made a welcome return for the Phoenix on Saturday, scoring the decisive goal against Central Coast in his first match since early November.
With Krishna available again after serving his one-game ban, Wellington's attack has plenty of different options.
Victory defender Alan Baro is another one returning from suspension and his experience could be vital against the Phoenix.
Wellington must have groaned when they heard Berisha's red card was overturned as the Albanian centre-forward has scored six goals in his last four matches against the Phoenix.
WHO'S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
James Troisi. Three goals in as many games for the Socceroos attacking midfielder including a sumptuous free-kick to kick-start Victory's win over Brisbane on Friday night.
FORM LINES
Wellington Phoenix: DDDLW
Melbourne Victory: WWWWW
PREDICTION
Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Melbourne Victory
