Verdict: Sydney FC win
Best odds: 3/5
Betting house: Dachbet
Hoping to find a route to the top of the A-League table on Sunday morning, Sydney will host Wellington at Allianz Stadium.
Sydney FC
Starting with the hosts, who came under heavy scrutiny last season as they ultimately had to settle for an infamous last-half finish among Australia’s elite, Ufuk Talay’s side have made a number of improvements this time around. Knowing they can reach the top of the A-League this weekend, the Sky Blues have their sights firmly set on making a real title challenge this time around. Last seen putting in a dominant display as they powered their way to an emetic 3-0 win at Macarthur, Sydney will be dreaming of repeating their performance on Sunday morning. Likewise, Talay’s team has also earned a reputation for its long dominance at home. In fact, the Australian heavyweights have won their previous three consecutive meetings at the Allianz Stadium by an aggregate score of 7-0.
Sydney FC Team News
Once again missing Macarthur last weekend with a hamstring problem, Sydney is once again sweating over the fitness of former Nottingham Forest star Joe Lolley. However, ahead of Sunday’s clash, the Sky Blues have no new injury problems and have reported good health.
Scoring a third goal of the A-League season last weekend, summer recruit and former Real Madrid youngster Victor Bonilla will lead the line here. Fellow newcomer and former Benfica star Paul Okon-Engstler will start in the middle of the park.
Wellington Phoenix
As for the visitors, who spent the entire 2024/25 campaign at the bottom of the A-League table, Wellington is simply hoping for smoother sailing this time around. However, despite coming from behind in the second half last weekend and eventually earning a thrilling 2-2 draw at home against Adelaide, Giancarlo Italiano’s men have continued to show some major inconsistencies. Closing out 2025 with a nightmare 5-1 at the hands of Melbourne Victory, Wellington will surely face another tough test here. Also worth noting is that Phoenix has recorded just one win in any of its nine previous trips to Sydney, a streak stretching back to December 2018.
Wellington Phoenix Team News
Carlo Armiento, who missed last weekend in Brisbane after serving a one-match suspension, will return to Wellington’s traveling squad here. However, with both still dealing with their respective injury issues, the Phoenix will not be able to call on the duo of Hideki Ishige and academy graduate Luke Supyk.
Suddenly prominent over the festive period, 18-year-old Eamonn McCarron will start between the sticks here. Veteran midfielder and former Koln star Kazuki Nagasawa will start in the middle of the park and will partner Lebanese international Rams Najjarine.
Key factors to consider
- Sydney has lost just one of its previous nine home games against Wellington, a streak dating back to December 2018.
- The Sky Blues have won their previous three consecutive meetings at the Allianz Stadium by an aggregate score of 7-0.
- Sydney have kept a clean sheet in three of their previous four appearances.
- Despite recording a 3-0 win in Brisbane earlier this month, that is the only away win Wellington has achieved this season.
- Five of the seven previous meetings between Sydney and Wellington ended with less than 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Aiming to reach the top of the A-League standings on Sunday morning, Sydney will be hoping to make another national statement here. Last seen putting in a dominant display as they powered their way to an emetic 3-0 win at Macarthur, the Sky Blues should also be excited by their sustained success at home. By winning each of their previous three consecutive A-League clashes at the Allianz Stadium by an aggregate score of 7-0, title contenders Talay are rightfully installed as a top contender this weekend. Likewise, having lost only one of their last nine home games against Wellington, we expect a similar result at the Allianz Stadium.
Verdict: Sydney FC win
Best odds: 3/5
Betting house: Dachbet
