WelClasico expected to be close

Wellington Phoenix reserves coach Chris Greenacre is hoping for a derby atmosphere to break out today.

The match between the Phoenix and Team Wellington has recently been dubbed the ‘WelClasico’ - a play on the El Clasico, the normally fiery derby match between Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

And while the level of play and intensity will never come close to reaching the heights of that rivalry when the two Wellington teams meet at David Farrington Park, Greenacre is still keen to see his young players tested in a high-pressure match.

‘‘I hope both sets of players address the game as a derby. We want fireworks in a derby, whether that is a competitive game or games with lots of goals.

‘‘Derbies are my favourite fixtures in the whole of football throughout the world and it’s important the players realise this and realise they are the best games to play in. I’m sure they’ll be up for giving Team Wellington a very good game.’’

On paper, the matchup is not really that close.

Team Wellington have won the last two ISPS Handa Premiership titles, while the Phoenix started their first game of the season, a 0-0 draw to Hawke’s Bay United on Monday, with an average squad age of 17. Team Wellington have won five of the six matches since the Phoenix reserves came into the league in 2014.

But four of the games have been settled by a solitary goal, including the Phoenix’s lone 2-1 win, which came at this point of the season last year.

Greenacre was predicting another close tussle. ‘‘They have been quite cagey affairs and I fully expect that to be the case this weekend.’’

Team Wellington coach Jose Figueira said they never took the young Phoenix players lightly.

‘‘Last year we slipped up to them at home with a late goal.

‘‘Although they’re young players, they’ve got a number of years experience - even if it’s not in the premiership it’s Central League, men’s football - under their belts.

‘‘That experience comes with all of those little nuances of playing senior football.’’

The hard part for both coaches was waiting to see what first-team players would drop down for the Phoenix.

Greenacre’s predecessor, Andy Hedge, often found out on gameday just who he had available, especially when the first team are playing at home, as they are today.

But that also makes it hard for Figueira to predict who his side might be up against.

‘‘We watched the footage from their first game and there is still a little bit of the unknown in terms of who may drop down on the day and trying to be prepared for that.’’

Team Wellington striker Tom Jackson will be back after his absence was sharply felt last weekend in a 3-1 loss to Eastern Suburbs. New Caledonian import Roy Kayara has a knock and is the only unavailable player for Team Wellington.