Auckland FC captain Horoki Sakai (file photo). Photo: Photosport
Auckland FC v Wellington Phoenix
Kick-off: 5pm Saturday 22 February
Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Analysis - The three-peat. It's the buzzword that surrounded the Superbowl earlier this month, although the Kansas City Chiefs came woefully short of meeting their mark. Many will have followed the instructions of half-time performer Kendrick Lamar and turned their TV off at the interval. Auckland FC will be hoping to perform better in pursuit of their own trilogy - a clean sweep of wins over the Wellington Phoenix in their inaugural season derby fixtures.
The third, and probably final, instalment is again in Auckland, where the Black Knights won 2-1 in December. Since then, the Phoenix have struggled to maintain pace with the high-flyers in the A-League, while Auckland have maintained their good form - and sit five points clear at the top of the table.
The situation of both teams just ramps up the importance of the game. For Auckland, they need to maintain their title-chasing form, while Wellington are potentially one more loss from giving up on any Cinderella run to the play-offs.
Auckland FC v Wellington Phoenix, at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, in December. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
Auckland FC team news
Of course the big news is the return of Louis Verstraete, who was suspended for the last outing, a 2-0 triumph over Western United. The Belgian will slot straight back into midfield with the only real debate regarding who plays alongside him. Steve Corica has recently preferred Jake Brimmer in that role, due to his ability on the ball, and that seems likely to continue going into Kiwi Classico 3.0.
Predicted XI and full squad: Alex Paulsen (gk); Hiroki Sakai (c), Tommy Smith, Nando Pijnaker, Francis de Vries; Louis Verstraete, Jake Brimmer, Neyder Moreno, Logan Rogerson; Guillermo May, Max Mata.
Subs: Michael Woud (gk), Cameron Howieson, Luis Toomey, Marlee Francois, Liam Gillion, Callan Elliot, Finn McKenlay, Jesse Randall, Felipe Gallegos (two to be omitted).
Auckland FC's Alex Paulsen takes a battering from Wellington Phoenix's Kosta Barbarouses, in December. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Wellington Phoenix team news
Giancarlo Italiano has been buoyed by some returning and new faces entering his squad ahead of this clash.
Alex Rufer, who returned from glandular fever off the bench last weekend, is keen to play an hour and it's likely the captain will slot straight back in from the start.
Meanwhile, new signing Chico Geraldes and the surprise injury return of Marco Rojas will finally give Chiefy some experience to influence the game in attack from the bench. Luke Brooke-Smith is another who might be pushing for a start, but the teenager might be seen as a potential impact sub.
Meanwhile, Sam Sutton is suspended, so expect Lukas Kelly-Heald to slot back into defence.
Predicted XI and full squad: Alby Kelly-Heald (gk); Tim Payne, Scott Wootton, Isaac Hughes, Lukas Kelly-Heald; Nathan Walker, Alex Rufer (c), Paulo Retre, Corban Piper; Hideki Ishige, Kosta Barbarouses.
Subs: Josh Oluwayemi (gk), Fin Roa Conchie, Marco Rojas, Luke Supyk, Kazuki Nagasawa, Matt Sheridan, Luke Brooke-Smith, Jayden Smith (two to be omitted).
Wellington Phoenix's Scott Wootton challenges for the ball, in December. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
What they're saying
"Derbies are won on the second ball and the fight that you show, and the desire to win. There's not really a lot in them, normally, and I don't think this will be any different. I think it will be very fiery, as the first two have been." - Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica.
"I think personally I could play up to 60 minutes. That might be pushing it a little bit, but you want to play in derbies, you want to play in big games, and you want to play against the best teams and Auckland are the best team. I want to play as much as possible and help the team as much as possible." - returning Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer.
Steve Corica and Giancarlo Italiano. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Prediction
Pressure is on, as I actually got my prediction right for December's meeting between New Zealand's two preeminent football entities.
A wild instinct in me wants to back an Auckland thrashing - but logic dictates a low scoring game between these two sides. Auckland are the obvious favourites to win, but when the Black Knights have slipped up this season it has been in games you don't expect - see 4-0 v Western United and away to Perth Glory.
Form can go out of the window for a derby game, and Wellington need a result to stay in contention of playing beyond the regular season. With that creative talent on the bench, perhaps they can sneak something.
Saying that, it seems the Phoenix simply lack the firepower to get the better of this stubborn Auckland defence more than once. Meanwhile, Auckland will want to ensure they find the net in front of a sell-out crowd at Mount Smart. Perhaps a score draw to round out the trinity for 2024-25 - with Wellington still awaiting a first win against their new rivals.
Auckland FC 1-1 Wellington Phoenix
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