Wellington Phoenix v McArthur preview: A-League Saturday preview

Wellington Phoenix lost last weekend's derby with Auckland City but will hope to make home advantage count back at Sky Stadium when they face Macarthur on Saturday.

The visiting Bulls have drawn their last two matches, and in contrasting style, tying 4-4 with Brisbane before playing out a 0-0 at Western United in Round 7.

Macarthur won on their first visit to Wellington in 2021 but have lost on three subsequent trips and are the underdogs to get a result in "The Cake Tin".

Wellington Phoenix v McArthur betting preview

Home comforts can help Phoenix

Phoenix would be pretty happy with their work if they hadn't lost both games to Auckland, as last weekend's 2-1 reverse at Go Media Stadium was preceded by a 2-0 home defeat in November.

Last season's semi-final extra-time defeat to Melbourne Victory could have damaged Giancarlo Italiano's team but they got revenge against the same side last month and have also beaten Perth and the reigning champions, Central Coast Mariners, following an opening draw with Western United.

Their strong record against Macarthur is a plus and it is easy to see why they are the 2.20 favourites for the win.

They lost just once at home in 90 minutes last season and will see Saturday's game as a chance to respond after their latest derby frustration.

Italiano's team won this game 3-0 last term and a repeat of that scoreline is available at 3.30.

Bulls look to buck the trend

Macarthur's only win of 2024/25 was away at Sydney FC and courtesy of Marin Jakolis' stoppage-time winner.

After their 4-0 blasting by the same opponents in last season's elimination finals, the win at Allianz Stadium hinted at signs of improvement for Mile Sterjovski's team.

A 1-0 defeat to Auckland and those two recent draws have followed but inconsistency from their rivals means they are just a point off of the top six and two points adrift of Wellington, albeit having played a game more than most other clubs.

Failing to score against Auckland and Western United, either side of their 4-4 with the Roar sums up the puzzle that the Leumeah outfit are serving up to their fans.

Barbarouses aiming to extend recent record

Already on four goals for the new A-League season, Kosta Barbarouses remains Phoenix's main strike threat.

The 34-year-old continues to impress despite his advancing years and has a wicked record against the Bulls.

Barbarouses grabbed four strikes in the pair's three meetings last season and is 2.75 to score at any time.

Former Monaco and Marseille striker Valere Germain is on three goals for the season, one behind colleague Jakolis, and on course to emulate his 12 efforts from 2023/24. He is 3.20 to add to his tally on Saturday, with his colleague 5.00.

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Wellington Phoenix v McArthur odds

Wellington Phoenix - 2.20
Draw - 3.75
McArthur - 3.00

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.