Brisbane Roar make the trip across the ditch for an Easter Sunday clash against Wellington Phoenix in Isuzu UTE A-League Round 22 action at Sky Stadium.
With just five rounds remaining of the 2023/24 campaign Roar sit eighth, five points adrift of the competition’s top six as they hunt a return to finals football after a two-season absence.
Ruben Zadkovich’s side look to bounce after suffering just their second defeat in seven matches with a 2-1 loss against Macarthur in their last outing.
Wellington Phoenix, who come into the weekend three points clear of Central Coast at the summit of the A-League ladder defeated Sydney FC 2-1 in Round 21 as they push for a first ever Premiership.
Sunday’s match will hold extra significance for Roar skipper, Tom Aldred who is in line to play his 100th A-League match for the club against the Phoenix.
WHAT WAS SAID
“They’re well coached, they have some key threats but so do we and it’s a challenge that we’re really up for.” – Ruben Zadkovich
READ MORE: Ruben Zadkovich previews Wellington clash
“It’s very special, I’ve been at the club now for around four and a half, nearly five years and to have Captained the team a 100 times in the A-Leagues it’s a special honour.” – Tom Aldred
READ MORE: Tom Aldred previews Wellington clash
TEAM NEWS
Brisbane Roar will be without Joe Caletti for Sunday’s clash in Wellington after it was confirmed the midfielder would miss the remainder of the 2023/24 Isuzu UTE A-League season with a fractured ankle.
Wellington Phoenix will be missing Tim Payne and Isaac Hughes after the pair both suffered hamstring injuries in their Round 21 victory over Sydney FC.
FULL TEAM NEWS: Queensland X-Ray Injury Update
BRFC Squad: 1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 3. Corey BROWN, 5. Tom ALDRED (C), 7. Florin BERENGUER, 8. Jonas MARKOVSKI, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 11. Jez LOFTHOUSE, 12. Taras GOMULKA, 13. Henry HORE, 16. Thomas WADDINGHAM, 19. Jack HINGERT, 20. Marco ROJAS, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 26. Jay O’SHEA, 27. Kai TREWIN, 29. Matt ACTON (GK), 32. James NIKOLOVSKI, 35. Louis ZABALA, 99. Ayom MAJOK
Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 2. Scott NEVILLE (injured), 6. Joe CALETTI (injured)
Wellington Phoenix Squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin CONCHIE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Mo AL-TAAY, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 17. Youstin SALAS, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 23. Luke SUPYK, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 25. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 39. Seth KARUNARATNE, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk), 43. Matt SHERIDAN, 51. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES
Ins: 23. Luke SUPYK (promoted), 39. Seth KARUNARATNE (promoted)
Outs: 6. Tim PAYNE (injured), 26. Isaac HUGHES (injured)
Unavailable: 6. Tim PAYNE (injured), 9. Oskar ZAWADA (injured), 26. Isaac HUGHES (injured)
LAST TIME WE MET
A 94th minute Corey Brown header saw the Roar snatch a share of the spoils against Phoenix last month. A Kosta Barbarouses strike had the Phoenix in front before Roar clawed their way back into the contest with a late equaliser against the league leaders.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played: 49
Brisbane Roar wins: 21
Wellington Phoenix wins: 12
Draws: 15
KEY STATS Brought to you by Opta:
– Brisbane Roar FC duo Jay O’Shea (650) and Kai Trewin (570) have made more forward passes than any other players in the 2023/24 A-League Men.
– James Nikolovski (Brisbane Roar FC) has won 91% of the 12 aerial duels he has contested since the start of 2024, the best rate of any non-keeper (minimum 10 duels contested).
– Tom Aldred (99) is one away from his 100th appearance in the A-League Men.
MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2023/24 – Round 22: Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Sunday, 31 March (10:00am AEST KO)
