Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix Tips & Prediction - Time for Nix to secure maiden Kiwi derby victory

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 04 Dec 2025 23:08

Andrew Hendrie 04 Dec 2025

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Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix predictions for Saturday's A-League R7 game
BTTS has landed in the last three meetings between the teams
Auckland have seen BTTS land in their last four games
Phoenix have already beaten two current top four teams this season
The game is scheduled for kick off at 3.00pm AEDT on Saturday December 6

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Auckland host Wellington on Saturday (Photo by Getty Images)

Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix Tips & Prediction

It's the second Kiwi Clasico in the space of a month as Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix collide at Go Media Stadium in A-League Round 7 action on Saturday.

Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix Tips & Prediction
Head To Head
Auckland FC Form Analysis
Auckland FC Team News
Wellington Phoenix Form Analysis
Wellington Phoenix Team News

Auckland have dominated the NZ derby since entering the A-League last season, winning all four meetings between the teams - including a 2-1 triumph back in Round 4 despite being reduced to nine men. However, Auckland haven't tasted victory since, settling for a 1-1 draw with Brisbane before suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat to Newcastle last week. Meanwhile, Phoenix enter this contest full of confidence after upsetting Adelaide United 2-1 at home last week.

Obviously Auckland have been historically dominant in this H2H, but I can't justify them as $1.50 favourites on current form. I'm a bit guilty of chasing the value here, but I think it's somewhat justified, with Phoenix paying $9.50 to win and both teams finding the back of the net. Wellington have actually defeated more current top four teams than Auckland this season, while BTTS has landed in the last three meetings and in the Black Knights' last four outings. Happy to back the Nix with a smaller stake at those odds.

Head To Head

As mentioned, Auckland have won all four previous encounters between the sides - including 2-1 and 6-1 victories at Go Media Stadium last term, along with that aforementioned 2-1 win in Round 4 this season.

Auckland FC Form Analysis

It's been a decent start to the season for Auckland, but nothing to really write home about as they've slipped from top of the table to third coming into Round 7.

Steve Corica's side put together a three-game winning streak between Rounds 2-4, conquering the Wanderers, Adelaide and Wellington.

However, the Black Knights have failed to win their last two matches coming into this contest, drawing 1-1 with Brisbane at home before a shock 2-1 defeat to the Jets last week in the atrocious conditions.

Nothing to be overly concerned about at this stage for Auckland, but failure to win this game in which they've historically dominated could see some doubts start to creep in.

Auckland FC Team News

Auckland FC squad: 1. Michael WOUD, 3. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Felipe GALLEGOS, 9. Sam COSGROVE, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 19. Oliver MIDDLETON, 20. Oli SAIL, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 35. Jonty BIDOIS, 77. Lachlan BROOK

Wellington Phoenix Form Analysis

It couldn't have been a more average start to the season for Wellington coming into this Round 7 clash - quite literally.

Indeed, Phoenix have registered a 2-2-2 record for the season with a goal difference of zero after scoring eight and conceding eight, entering this contest in sixth spot on the 12-team ladder.

Wellington fans would certainly be happy with that considering many pundits tipped them to be languishing near the bottom of the ladder for most of the season.

The only team to have beaten a resurgent Brisbane Roar side this season, Phoenix also managed to snap their three-game winless run last week by beating Adelaide 2-1 at home, with Alex Rufer and Ramy Najjarine getting on the scoresheet.

Wellington Phoenix Team News

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 12. Dan EDWARDS, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 37. Anaru CASSIDY, 39. Jayden SMITH, 40. Eamonn MCCARRON (gk)