Win over Wellington will give Melbourne City a finals boost

Melbourne City's creator-in-chief Aaron Mooy says victory over Wellington Phoenix on Sunday would give the A-League club a platform for achievement in the finals series.

Aaron Mooy says Melbourne City can turn the tables on Wellington Phoenix and carry that form into the knock-out series (AAP) Source: AAP

City was already in the box seat to earn a finals place after a run of 10 points from its past four matches.

Wins over Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar - before last weekend's draw with Western Sydney Wanderers - make John van't Schip's side one of the form teams in the league.

But rather than endure a dogfight for sixth place with Roar over the next three weeks, City is now a confirmed starter in the A-League finals should Perth Glory's punishment for salary cap infringement withstand a legal challenge.

Mooy believes City's combination of form and its record over the A-League's big boys has it nicely positioned.

"We've just about beaten every team above us except Wellington," he said.

"We'd love a win and to get the monkey off the back."

City's two previous trips to New Zealand to play Wellington have brought two of the worst moments of its season.

In November, it was crushed 5-1 and on another visit in February it lost Damien Duff for the season during a 0-0 draw.

Van't Schip swung the axe after its four-goal defeat, leading to Connor Chapman's inclusion for the first time.

The 20-year-old centre back is available again for selection but Van't Schip said he wasn't an automatic inclusion after good form from replacement Kew Jaliens.

Phoenix will be without Joel Griffiths for the season, after the veteran forward injured his knee in last weekend's loss to Victory.

While the Wellington side comes to Melbourne on the back of two 0-3 home losses, at AAMI Park it'll be hoping for a fourth straight away win.

But Mooy says City can turn the tables on their trans-Tasman rivalry and carry that form into the knock-out series.

"If we get into the finals, if we perform to our best, we can beat anyone," he said.

"Once we get into the finals we'll be looking to win it and anything's possible."