One is facing an undefeated premiership contender while the other is facing a fellow struggler coming off a heavy loss.
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The tasks are vastly different but the motivation is the same for Dubbo juniors Ashleigh Sykes and Jacob Tratt this weekend.
Sykes and her Canberra United side face the undefeated ladder-leaders Melbourne City in the W-League this weekend, in what may well be a preview of a finals clash.
Tratt and his Wellington Phoenix A-League squad have endured a tumultous week, with last round’s loss to Adelaide not only cementing the side’s spot at the foot of the ladder, but it also led manager Ernie Merrick to hand in his resignation.
The Phoenix play host to the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, with Paul Okon’s side falling out of the top siox last week after being hammered 4-1 by the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Sykes’ and United travel play City at 5pm on Saturday while Tratt takes on the Mariners from 7.35pm (local time) on Saturday.