Soccer: Big ask of Phoenix in Adelaide

The Phoenix will have to cope without some of their key players, including Ben Sigmund. Photo / Getty Images

The Wellington Phoenix will have to beat the odds if they are celebrate their 100th A-League game with a win in Adelaide tonight.

Not only does the TAB have them a lengthy $6.60 to upset Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium, the Phoenix have other factors firmly against them.

They will be without key players as Ben Sigmund and Manny Muscat miss this one and Wednesday's game with Sydney FC on the second leg of their tough away journey through suspension. Leo Bertos is still sidelined and squad member Mirjan Pavlovic is troubled by a hamstring injury.

On the positive side, Jade North returns from Asian Cup duty with the Socceroos to slot into Sigmund's vacant spot in central defence alongside captain Andrew Durante.

While many see their last game - at home to bottom-placed North Queensland Fury as perhaps their best chance of clinching the sixth play-off spot - Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is not looking that far ahead.

"For a number of weeks I haven't looked any further ahead than the game at hand, and I'm not changing now," said Herbert.

"We are going into two tough games [at Adelaide and Sydney] where we haven't been very successful, if at all, and the first game, against Adelaide, has my full attention."

Rather than dwell on the negatives - the mandatory suspensions for Sigmund and Muscat after eighth yellow cards in the 1-0 win over Newcastle - Herbert said it was fortunate that North was returning.

"Jade and Andrew Durante played together in the centre of defence with Sigmund at right back for a period this season so they should be fine. With Manny it was disappointing, as it is for any player who is unlucky, and obviously he is a loss, but when we lost Paul Ifill we pulled together and carried on scoring goals.

"We've got a chance of making the finals," said Herbert.

"It is in our own hands so we have to deal with it."

Herbert was happy to pick up three crucial points with the win over the Jets but they, like Sydney FC, remain in the play-off mix.

The Phoenix hold a two-point lead over Melbourne Heart (who have played one more game and have an inferior goal difference) with Newcastle a further two points back and two ahead of Sydney with both having, like the Phoenix, three games to play.

Newcastle are at home to Sydney tomorrow with both teams playing their 150th A-League games.

Adelaide, who go into the game in third place and three points behind second-placed Central Coast, have won five of these battles and the Phoenix two with four drawn.

A-League

Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix

Hindmarsh Stadium, 9pm today (live SS1). Referee: Matthew Breeze.