KEY POINTS:
Two games at home and two across the Tasman confront the Wellington Phoenix in their charge for a place in the A-League playoffs.
In a typical cat and mouse end to the season, the Phoenix have a couple of things going for them this week.
They are at home to play bottom-placed Newcastle and, with the only Sunday game, have the advantage of playing the last game of the round.
The following Sunday they are away to Sydney FC - another team below them on the points table and who face the tough trip to Adelaide this week. The penultimate round pits the Phoenix against leaders Adelaide who are keen to take the honours and get another crack at Asia's best in the hope of a return to the Club World Cup. By the time that January 18 match is played, the South Australians may well have wrapped the title up.
The Phoenix end their regular season five days later at the Telstra Dome against the Victory in a game which could have plenty riding on it especially as it is the only Friday game and the first of the round.
The results of last weekend's round may well have a bearing as the Phoenix twice surrendered the lead in going down to Queensland while Melbourne three times scored crucial goals to snatch maximum points.
CRUCIAL DATES
Final dash for the Phoenix
Sunday: v Newcastle Jets, Westpac Stadium 7pm.
January 11: v Sydney FC (away) 8pm (NZ time).
January 18: v Adelaide United, Westpac Stadium 5pm.
January 23: v Melbourne Victory (away) 10pm.by For the Phoenix, much is riding on the next few weeks
