Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix Tips & Predictions - Phoenix the value bet in Distance Derby

Both teams are coming off hugely disappointing seasons last term, with Glory picking up their second consecutive wooden spoon, while Wellington failed to back up their tremendous previous campaign, finishing in 11th spot on the ladder. As usual, there's been ample player overhaul and movement during the offseason, so it will be interesting to see if either side can make a push towards the finals this season. One thing's for certain, three points to kick off the campaign would be a huge confidence boost.

Looking at the market, I just can't justify Perth being odds-on favourites here. They have been by far the worst team in the A-League over the last couple of years - and, they've only beaten Wellington once in the last 15 meetings between the sides dating back to 2020. More than happy to back Phoenix in the Double Chance market, with a smaller stake on the Kiwi club prevailing outright.

As mentioned, Phoenix have dominated Glory in recent times, going unbeaten in 14 of the last 15 encounters - including knocking them out of the Australia Cup in the offseason. Wellington are also unbeaten in their last eight trips to Perth, winning six.

It's been an absolutely abysmal last couple of seasons for Glory, with the club collecting back-to-back wooden spoons and showcasing a level that would probably see them finish in the bottom half of most NPL tables.

Glory couldn't even enjoy an Australia Cup run over the offseason, going down to Phoenix in extra-time in the Round of 32.

David Zdrillic has an almighty task ahead of him this season to get his Perth side competitive and moving in the right direction.

Brian Kaltak adds some steel to the defence, while Glory need Adam Taggart to wind back the clock and put together a 10-15 goal season up front.

Bad luck for Glory ahead of the opening game of the season, with Mark Birighitti suffering a knee injury in training this week. Matthew Sutton has signed on a three-month injury-replacement contract.

Meanwhile, defender Sam Sutton is sidelined for the next month through injury, while midfielders Callum Timmins and Luke Amos are also unavailable.

Perth Glory Squad: 4.Scott WOOTTON, 6.Brandon O’NEILL, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 9.Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 11.Lachlan WALES, 13.Cameron COOK, 14.Nathanael BLAIR, 17.Arion SULEMANI, 18.Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Trent OSTLER, 21.Adam BUGARIJA, 22.Adam TAGGART, 25.Sebastian DESPOTOVSKI, 26.Khoa NGO, 27.Will FRENEY, 28.Kaylan MAJEKODUNMI, 29.Matt SUTTON, 31.Joel ANASMO, 45.Brian KALTAK

Phoenix experienced a big fall from grace last season, failing to back up their finals campaign from the previous year and slumping to an 11th-place finish, winning just six games.

Wellington did manage to put together a mini Australia Cup run, beating Perth and Nunawading City, but they were embarrassed 4-0 by eventual runners-up Heidelberg in the quarter-finals.

The departure of Kosta Barbarouses could leave a huge hole - the Kiwis winger accounted for 40 per cent of Wellington's goals last term.

Ifeanyi Eze scored 15 goals last season in Iraq and will need to adapt quickly to life in the A-League if Phoenix are going to fire.

Eze, Manjrekar James, Dan Edwards, Xuan Loke, Carlo Armiento and Ramy Najjarine are all a chance to make their Wellington debuts.

Paulo Retre, Nikola Miluesnic and Alby Kelly-Heald are all out injured.

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI, 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 12. Dan EDWARDS, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 37. Anaru CASSIDY, 39. Jayden SMITH, 40. Eamonn MCCARRON