Gold coast v wellington phoenix
Last week’s hard-fought 1-1 draw at Sydney FC extended gold coast uniteds impressive unbeaten run to four games and provided more evidence that Miron Bleiberg’s men are quietly developing into genuine title contenders. It’s not often that Bleiberg and flying under the radar are mentioned in the same sentence, but that is exactly what the Queenslanders have been doing so far this term and they will be well backed to down a wellington phoenix side who show no sign of finding a cure for their travel sickness.
United defenders Michael Thwaite and John Curtis, meanwhile, enjoyed mixed fortunes last week, with the former earning a deserved recall to the Socceroos squad and the latter picking up a needless red card that will rule him out of Friday night’s clash at Skilled Park.
In terms of injury news, experienced striker Joel Porter is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury and could be in line for a place on the bench, but Daniel Piorkowski’s ankle problem will continue to sideline him for at least another month.
Phoenix marked their return to Westpac Stadium last time out with their customary home win, this time over North Queensland and then secured a vital off-field victory in midweek as they fought off a bid by New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation to liquidate them for failing to pay levies amounting to NZ$260,000.
In a further boost for the Kiwi outfit, key man Paul Ifill has declared himself fit and raring to go after missing the Fury game with a groin injury and coach Ricki Herbert will also be able to call upon the services of Mirjan Pavlovic for the trip to Queensland following the young striker’s return from international duty.
The goals may not be exactly flowing for Gold Coast, but the positive results are and they should pick up another one at the expense of the poor-travelling Phoenix.
Prediction: Gold Coast United 1-0 Wellington Phoenix
United defenders Michael Thwaite and John Curtis, meanwhile, enjoyed mixed fortunes last week, with the former earning a deserved recall to the Socceroos squad and the latter picking up a needless red card that will rule him out of Friday night’s clash at Skilled Park.
In terms of injury news, experienced striker Joel Porter is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury and could be in line for a place on the bench, but Daniel Piorkowski’s ankle problem will continue to sideline him for at least another month.
Phoenix marked their return to Westpac Stadium last time out with their customary home win, this time over North Queensland and then secured a vital off-field victory in midweek as they fought off a bid by New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation to liquidate them for failing to pay levies amounting to NZ$260,000.
In a further boost for the Kiwi outfit, key man Paul Ifill has declared himself fit and raring to go after missing the Fury game with a groin injury and coach Ricki Herbert will also be able to call upon the services of Mirjan Pavlovic for the trip to Queensland following the young striker’s return from international duty.
The goals may not be exactly flowing for Gold Coast, but the positive results are and they should pick up another one at the expense of the poor-travelling Phoenix.
Prediction: Gold Coast United 1-0 Wellington Phoenix
2 GOALS IN 10 MINUTES THIS IS GOING TO BE A HARD 80 MINUTES HOPEING FOR NO GOAL 
nearing halftime... also can see red cards coming in this game.
She's controling you!
