Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix: match preview

Ufuk Talay returns to his former club for the first time as Wellington Phoenix look to bounce back from a first-up loss at the home of Champions Sydney FC on Sunday.

Talay, who was assistant as the Sky Blues won the title last season, will hope to use his intimate knowledge of the club to Phoenix’s advantage at Leichhardt Oval.

Phoenix’s new-look squad failed to fire in the opening round loss to Western United FC but will hope to come way with an upset in this one.

In contrast, the Sky Blues were ultra-impressive in their season-opening 3-2 win over the Reds in Adelaide.

Striker Adam Le Fondre – who scored a double – looks in superb early-season form, while new boys Kosta Barbarouses and Alexander Baumjohann will be motivated to perform in their first outing in front of the home fans.

SYDNEY FC: McGowan the unlikely new hero in Sydney’s winning start
MORE: Wellington's cheeky response to United's classy act

Click here to buy tickets

Sunday, October 20 2019
Kick-off: 6.00pm AEDT
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports

Ways to watch

Download the MyFootball Live App now
Sign up for Kayo Sports
Get Foxtel

How to follow the action

Match centre: Live updates, videos and statistics

Follow @ALeague on Twitter and join the conversation using #SYDvWEL #ALeague

Team news

TBC

Did you know?

• Wellington Phoenix played 42 passes into the box in Round 1 of the 2019/20 A-League season, the second most of any team in the competition and 14 more than Sydney FC.
• There has been an average of four goals per game scored between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix in their last five A-League games hosted by the Sky Blues, with only one clean sheet kept in that time (to Sydney FC).
• Wellington Phoenix’s Callum McCowatt created four scoring chances in the opening round of the 2019/20 A-League season, the joint-second most of any player.