Brisbane Roar vs Wellington Phoenix

Fourth Official Alex King BLUFFER’S GUIDE If Roar’s last two matches are anything to go by, this will be a high-scoring thriller. Frans Thijssen’s side went down 5-4 in a nine-goal epic against Sydney FC and followed it up with another cracker on Wednesday night in the ACL as they played out a 3-3 draw with Suwon Samsung Bluewings. There’s no doubt Roar’s defensive structure will have been worked on in the couple of days’ preparation for this clash. Outside the top six by two points – albeit with two games in hand – this is a vital clash for Brisbane, especially as they will lose Matt McKay, Luke DeVere, James Donachie and Corey Brown to international duty for the next round. Phoenix is now the hunted in the Hyundai A-League having surged to the top with last weekend’s 2-1 win over Perth Glory. How will Ernie Merrick’s side cope with that added pressure? Fresh from his two goals against Suwon, youngster Devante Clut has been included in Roar’s extended squad, along with the returning Luke Brattan from suspension. Thomas Broich was left out of the starting side against the Koreans but should be right to start this one. There is a couple of big inclusions for the league-leaders as top scorer Nathan Burns and key midfielder Alex Rodriguez return from injury, although they do lose defender Manny Muscat, with Tom Doyle expected to start at left-back. OPTA DATA STATS -Brisbane Roar has won six of their last seven meetings with Phoenix (L1), scoring at least twice in each victory. -Wellington has never won or kept a clean sheet in 12 previous visits to Brisbane (D2 L10) in the Hyundai A-League. -These sides have one win apiece in meetings between them this Hyundai A-League season, with the winning side scoring three on both occasions. -Roar have received fewer yellow cards than any other side this season (32), while Wellington are one of three sides yet to receive a red card (along with Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United). Read more at http://www.a-league.com.au/article/preview-brisbane-roar-fc-v-wellington-phoenix/o1mab238ur421bduq4jhwuse1#d1IglBLptHePoZk6.99