A-League Preview: Macarthur FC vs Wellington Phoenix - key stats, H2H, line-ups, prediction

Macarthur FC will host Wellington Phoenix in their first game of A-League 2021/22.

Venue: Newcastle International Sports Centre

Key Statistics

Macarthur FC finished sixth in A-League last season with 39 points, a place above Wellington Phoenix (38 points)
Matt Derbyshire and Tomer Hemed, the top scorers for Macarthur and Wellington last season, have changed clubs. Derbyshire joined AEK Larnaca while Hemed moved to fellow A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.

Head to Head record

The scores are tied in terms of head to head records, with both sides winning a game in three matches played between them. Wellington Phoenix thrashed Macarthur 3-0 in their previous meeting in the A-League, which took place earlier this year.

Macarthur FC

Macarthur FC will look to begin the season on a high note when they host New Zealand-outfit Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

The Bulls will look to exact revenge for their 3-0 loss to Wellington in the A-League last season.

Macarthur made a good start to the 20/21 season but couldn’t capitalise on it, as they ended up sixth in the A-League table.

Veteran striker Tomi Juric completed his move to the Bulls from Adelaide United in the summer. The 30-year-old will look to make his mark straightaway on Sunday.

As far as the team news is concerned, manager Ante Milicic has a fully-fit squad for selection.

3 sleeps to go and we are back in action on our home turf against Wellington Phoenix! ????

Secure your tickets now ???? https://t.co/jgXnR7Wo5R #WeAreTheBulls pic.twitter.com/iyhHrbw1rk
— Macarthur FC (@mfcbulls) November 18, 2021

Possible line-up (Macarthur FC)

Nicholas Suman; James Meredith, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Tomislav Uskok, Moudi Najjar; Charles M’Mombwa; Jordon Mutch, Ulises Davila, Craig Noone, Daniel De Silva; Tomi Juric

Wellington Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix will look to make it two wins in a row against the Bulls when they lock horns on Sunday.

Like Macarthur, The Nix failed to maintain their consistency last season and eventually finished seventh.

The Nix played some good football during the latter stages of the last season and wants to repeat it this term. The odds are stacked against them after losing several key players in the transfer window.