WELLINGTON PHOENIX v BRISBANE ROAR
* Westpac Stadium
* Today 7.30pm (live SS1)
The unbeaten record the Wellington Phoenix have built in a 24-match streak at Westpac Stadium goes under the spotlight tonight with, ironically, the team who last beat them keen to repeat that effort.
Brisbane Roar edged the Phoenix 1-0 at the stadium in October 2008. Two years on and with the Queenslanders enjoying a great Hyundai A-League season, the pressure is on Ricki Herbert and his team to respond.
It promises to be an acid test for the home side and not only in their attempt to protect that run of 14 wins and 10 draws in the capital.
The Phoenix are back in seventh place and even a win tonight would not be enough to get them any further up the table.
On the other hand, the visitors have lost only once this season; they beat the Phoenix 1-0 at Suncorp in week four; and have crossed the Tasman on the back of a 1-1 away draw with defending champions Sydney FC.
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou is happy with the way his team came through that game and is looking forward to tonight's challenge.
"Everyone has recovered well and we've had a couple of sessions over here and they are all fine," said Postecoglou.
"There are some challenges with different time zones and different weather but the players have been very professional.
"We have been pretty consistent in saying that it's about our performances. If we keep playing good football and we keep playing well, the rest should take care of itself."
Herbert will not want any slip-ups.
Given their poor away record this season, the Phoenix have to chase maximum points in every home game.
On paper they still boast what appears one of the stronger squads in the league but their record of just three wins in 11 outings does not support that.
Provided his international clearance comes through, new (injury cover) signing Simon Elliott looks set to play a part and give the midfield some much-needed direction.
One Roar player particularly keen to impress will be young striker Kosta - he played here as Costa - Barbarouses, who was let go at the end of last season and quickly made his mark across the Tasman and rubbed salt into Phoenix wounds with the goal that sunk the Wellingtonians in their last meeting.
In other action today, Auckland City host Waitakere United in the ASB Youth League - kickoff 6pm at Kiwitea St.
