Roar have now closed to within a point of City (the latter has 19 to Brisbane's 18) but the Queenslanders have a far superior goal difference of plus six compared with City's minus six. Both clubs have played 15 games, so they do have a match in hand on fifth-placed Sydney, but the Sky Blues are six points ahead of City and will have taken plenty of confidence from their 3-1 win over league leaders Perth in Western Australia last weekend. Aside from Velaphi and Paartalu, Van 't Schip is without fullback Ben Garuccio and attackers Mate Dugandzic and James Brown. All three are expected to be out for another couple of weeks, limiting the coach's options up front. Paartalu was a late withdrawal before the derby because of a calf injury. The tall midfielder had trained in the week leading up to last Saturday's game but injured himself the day before. Velaphi was another late withdrawal, much to his frustration. The former Victory keeper has patiently waited for his chance at City following his move across town last season and looked to have taken it in the past few weeks.

Van 't Schip's patience with incumbent Andrew Redmayne finally ran out before Christmas and Velaphi got his opportunity when he came in for the game against Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park in early December, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win. He then held the position until early January when he was sent off in the 2-0 loss at Central Coast, meaning he lost his place again through suspension. Just when he was ready to push for a recall against Victory, he sustained a shoulder injury, allowing Redmayne to return. Van 't Schip has talked of the need for an immediate rebound by his inconsistent team, who at times can look terrific, at others woeful. But City will not be the only ones looking for a return to form at the weekend. Wellington, who have looked a much improved side this season under former Victory boss Ernie Merrick, have come up short in their past two matches. They lost to Brisbane when the Roar got a late winner and then became the first team all season to lose to bottom-of-the-table Western Sydney Wanderers when they went down 2-0 last weekend.

As a result they have dropped to fourth on the table and are only three points clear of Sydney. The Phoenix boast the league's leading marksman in Socceroo Nathan Burns and are regarded as a legitimate championship threat, but their cause would be greatly enhanced by finishing high enough up the ladder to earn home finals. City could be forgiven for having nightmares as they contemplate their trip across the ditch, as Van 't Schip's men suffered their most harrowing defeat of the season the last time they took on Wellington in New Zealand. That was back in November, when City went down 5-0, prompting a mini crisis for Van 't Schip and his coaching staff. They reacted decisively, making several changes the following week and got the reward for their boldness when City beat Brisbane and followed up by beating Victory in the pre-Christmas derby. They took 10 points out of a possible 15 before the Asian Cup break to haul themselves up the table. Van 't Schip will be hoping that the fightback begins this week.