Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix: What the experts say both sides need to do to win

What must Wellington do?

Wellington must start well – that is imperative. If they can get an early goal that will bring the crowd into the game and make it even harder for Auckland. It’s also important for their confidence with such a young team. Everyone talks about Auckland needing to find some cohesion in the first season, but this Phoenix team is like a brand new team with all the changes in the off-season.

Their spine of Scott Wootton and Kosta Barbarouses will be key, while Tim Payne’s physical approach, as well as his ability to send accurate crosses into the box, could be pointers on the night. New goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi needs to dominate his area given Auckland’s threats and the number of crosses that will come his way. Ultimately, the young players will have to rise to the occasion, the biggest of their short careers so far.

Prediction: Auckland FC 1 – 1 Wellington Phoenix

Jason Pine – Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host

What should Auckland do?

Auckland needs to find a tipping point. Their three goals so far have been an own goal, a 97th minute backheel from a centre-back and a neat finish from Logan Rogerson. Steve Corica will want his side to be more clinical against a Wellington defense that gives up very few scoring opportunities.

What must Wellington do?

Wellington will have to feed off the energy of the crowd. Yellow fever will no doubt be out in force at Sky Stadium and let visiting Aucklanders know they are in enemy territory. As much as the players will say they can’t hear the crowd, they really do. Full stands got Wellington over the line a couple of times last season and maybe again this weekend.

Prediction: Auckland FC 0 – 1 Wellington Phoenix

Bonnie Jansen – Multimedia sports journalist

What must Wellington do?

Wellington must not bow to the Black Knights – they must be confident. They must own the pressure they will pile on as matchday hosts and seasoned A-League contenders. They have everything to lose, but still a lot to gain, with the opportunity to silence their more boisterous brothers to the north. This is their home game, their territory, they’ve been here before but Auckland FC haven’t.

Yes, the Black Knights are coming off two consecutive wins in their inaugural season, but this will be their toughest match yet, playing last season’s semi-finalists in their first away game in club history. The Phoenix have the roster and coaching stuff to put Auckland in their place – they just need to control their emotions and block out the noise. If the Phoenix shy away or show too much respect to the opposition, Auckland FC will punish them as they have with every team they have played so far.

What should Auckland do?

Auckland can win this game by cheering on the Wellingtonians as they have done since their launch last year. From the owners of Auckland FC to the staff, players and fans, they have arrived with the attitude that they have been here all along. They are not an expansion team in the A-League just to make up the numbers, they want to win it from the point of the day. From the billionaire owner to the streaker at a Nix game in Auckland last season, to the signing of Alex Paulsen and other top All Whites – Auckland FC have put Phoenix on their nerves – as evidenced by David Dome’s pre-derby comments : “It takes more than money to be successful.”

Unlocking the healthy play to get inside Nix’s head could be all the Aucklanders need on derby day. Owning the underdog status and keeping the pressure on the hosts, the Black Knights could execute an immaculate start to their maiden season and make it three out of three.

Prediction: Auckland FC 3 – 1 Wellington Phoenix

Alex Powell – NZ Herald Online Sports Editor

What should Auckland do?

Dominate, but be careful. With no disrespect, Phoenix play very limited football; defend well and score when they can. Last season, no team in the A-League’s top six scored fewer goals in the regular season than Phoenix’s 42. In contrast, no team conceded fewer than 26 goals.

This season, they’ve used more or less the same game plan – Phoenix’s three goals have come from just four shots on goal. Because of this, Auckland FC must be ruthless and not give the Phoenix the chance to play the game they want. Always keep them on the back foot, make no mistakes and take them when they come.

What must Wellington do?

Weather the storm. Last season we saw Phoenix get results against teams with better players and more cohesion than Auckland FC. They will have a better understanding of the game they want to play and can look to exploit an Auckland FC side still grappling with how to function as a cohesive unit.

However, depending on the form Giancarlo Italiano wants to play, Phoenix will have to be wary of Auckland’s attacking quality. An early goal from Auckland could throw Phoenix’s entire game plan out the window.

Prediction: Auckland FC 2 – 0 Wellington Phoenix

Will Toogood – NZ Herald Online Sports Editor

What should Auckland do?

In the first two games, Auckland were masters at disrupting the midfield. Especially against Sydney FC, the likes of Louis Verstraete and Luis Felipe Gallegos broke possession at crucial times and were able to quickly turn it into an attack. The closure in the middle of the park forced the Sky Blues into dangerous areas and combined with Auckland’s press, this stifled the visitors from shooting from outside the box.

Following the same theme, getting it right will be key for those wearing the blue and black. Rogerson and Gillion, with their dribbling and pace, have proved Auckland’s strongest forwards in two matches, and the Wellington stretch can then leave some space in the middle.

What must Wellington do?

Patience, patience and more patience. The hallmarks of Nix wins last season were absorbing pressure and taking risks — but this is a new season and new opposition. As I said above, the crucial battle is in the midfield and Phoenix will have to equalize the battle in that space.

Despite what coach Italiano said this week, being at home will help the Wellingtonians and they need to use that, especially in the first half. Injuries mean their bench isn’t as strong as Auckland’s, but if they can get an early goal their defense is very hard to break down.

Prediction: Auckland FC 1 – 1 Wellington Phoenix

Will Toogood is an online sports editor for NZ Herald. He enjoys watching people chase a ball on a grass surface, so much so that he decided to make a living out of it.