The Wellington Phoenix are top of the men’s A-League table. They play Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday.
The NZ Herald reports that kick-off is at 5pm. It is the seventh men’s derby and the first of three this season.
Phoenix unbeaten, Auckland yet to settle
The Phoenix have won all three games. They have scored seven goals and conceded one. The Friends of Football table has them on nine points with a goal difference of plus six.
Auckland have four points from three games, with one win, one draw and one loss. The NZ Herald says they are sixth.
Coach Chris Greenacre has given Wellington their best start to an A-League season. He has also brought the best out of striker Corban Piper. Piper is the league’s top scorer with three goals and has been called up to the All Whites.
Six derbies, six Auckland wins
Auckland have won every derby so far. They have scored 20 goals to Wellington’s four. The most recent meeting, in February, finished Wellington Phoenix 0, Auckland FC 5.
The Post says Saturday is Wellington’s best chance of ending that run. It reports that Greenacre insisted the match was just another game and that his side are the underdogs.
The Phoenix club site says Greenacre is treating the derby as business as usual. It also notes that Auckland are the reigning champions.
Players to watch
- The Post says Auckland still have captain Hiroki Sakai and All Whites playmaker Lachlan Bayliss. Bayliss faces his first Kiwi derby.
- The same article says Phoenix import Bryce Duke is set for his first Kiwi derby.
- Brothers Riley and Jonty Bidois will face each other competitively for the first time. Riley, 24, is on loan at the Phoenix from Monterey Bay. Jonty, 22, plays for Auckland.
How to watch
The Phoenix say the match will be shown live on Sky Sport 2 and Sky Open in New Zealand. Paramount+ has it in Australia.
Friends of Football has also previewed the match, looking at the Phoenix’s form and the changes at Auckland.
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