Unbeaten in each of their last three matches, Wellington Phoenix entertain the challenge of Melbourne City at the Sky Stadium on Monday morning.
Both teams have made somewhat different starts to the current campaign heading into their first involvement of 2023 which promises to be an exciting watch nonetheless.
Match preview
Melbourne City managed to get the better of Central Coast Mariners in a hard-fought 1-0 victory when the sides faced off at the AAMI Park on Tuesday.
Rado Vidosic's men went into the interval with a one-goal lead courtesy of Jamie Maclaren's opener, before holding firm in the second period to come away with maximum points.
As a result, the Cityzens have now moved four points clear of Western Sydney Wanderers at the top of the A-League table with a game in hand.
Lying in store next is a sixth meeting in the space of one year against an opposing outfit who have won and lost two games apiece from the previous five clashes.
Having seen their four-game winning run away from home recently come to an end, Monday's visitors now seek yet another feather in the cap on enemy territory as they continue their title charge.
Wellington Phoenix had to make do with a share of the spoils in Friday's encounter against Perth Glory at the Macedonia Park which ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Ufuk Talay's men trailed to David Williams's 22nd-minute opener but wasted no time in drawing level, as Oskar Zawada struck barely nine minutes later.
With 11 points amassed from nine league matches so far, the Yellow Army sit eighth in the standings, albeit only one point adrift of the final playoff spot.
Unbeaten in six of their last seven home matches heading into Monday's contest, the hosts have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fans.
Team News
Wellington's Oskar Zawada has netted three times in his most recent four appearances, and the Polish forward is certainly one to keep an eye on here.
Off the back of consecutive matches on the bench, Joshua Laws is set for a second straight start after he was recalled to the XI against Perth Glory.
Following his winner last time out, Jamie Maclaren is now up to 10 league goals for Melbourne City this season - at least five more than any other player in the A-League.
Thirty-three-year-old Florin Berenguer remains without an appearance for the away side due to a muscle injury which he picked back in August.
Wellington Phoenix possible starting lineup:
Sail; Mauragis, Laws, Wootton, Elliot; Kraev, Lewis, Ugarkovic, Yan Sasse; Ball, Zawada
Melbourne City possible starting lineup:
Glover; Bos, Good, Lam, Talbot; O'Neill, Berisha, Van der Venne; Leckie, Tilio, Maclaren
We say: Wellington Phoenix 0-1 Melbourne City
Melbourne City have often eased past the challenge of whoever has gone against them this season, but Monday's fixture is set to be far from straightforward for the current A-League leaders. However, we still fancy them to get the job done come the sound of the full-time whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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