Thirteen may be the unlucky number for some, but Adelaide United FC will be striving to make it the number that everyone is talking about, after they tackle the Wellington Phoenix at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight.

Just 90 minutes and Phoenix, who were the last team to beat United, stand in the way of the Reds setting a new record for the number of consecutive Hyundai A-League games undefeated.

With their scoreless draw against Gold Coast United last Sunday, the Reds equalled Central Coast Mariners’ record of straight 12 matches unbeaten, and they have a chance to create another piece of history in front of the home fans.

Unbeaten in all four of their previous games at Hindmarsh Stadium against Wellington, three wins from four at home so far in 2010/11, and with Phoenix securing just one point away from home this season, the signs are positive for United to extend their run.

But Reds Assistant Coach Phil Stubbins, who took charge of the squad’s final training session due to the absence of an ill Rini Coolen, says achieving the record is not a focus, and that he has been around football long enough to know relying on past results is fraught with danger.

“I don’t really think we’ve got that (the record) in our sights,” Stubbins said. “We’re certainly focused on Wellington, who are going to be a strong opposition for us.

"If we don’t put up a strong performance ourselves, football is a game that can slap you in the face every now and again, and we’re certainly doing everything we can with the mentality and the culture that we’ve tried to instil, to make sure that we don’t let that happen tomorrow.”

Last week was just the second time the Reds have failed to find the back of the next this season, but the expected return of key attacking duo Marcos Flores and Mathew Leckie is sure to enhance United’s potency.

The pair replace the departed Joe Keenan and Cameron Watson, who have both returned to Melbourne after their contracts came to an end.

Flores has recovered from a hamstring injury while Leckie, whose last game was at Hindmarsh against Perth Glory back on September 24, is revitalised after returning from the AFC U19 Championships with the Qantas Young Socceroos.

“He’s come through, he’s trained over the last couple of days with the team and he’s had no ill effects from that, so at this stage Marcos looks very good for a starting spot,” Stubbins said of Flores.

“Leckie will hopefully come back in, and be what he’s been all season for us, and that’s a livewire and someone who we look to be a game breaker for us.”

Phoenix set an impressive record last weekend when they made it 24 straight games unbeaten at their home of Westpac Stadium, and although their results on the other side of the Tasman have not been as good, the Reds will certainly not be taking them lightly.

Despite their poor record at Hindmarsh, Stubbins does not expect Wellington to park the bus in defence and not try to come out and play.

“Wellington are a strong outfit and their record at home certainly suggests they are a formidable team at home,” Stubbins said.

“They’ve had their troubles and issues in terms of the travel and coming across the ditch as they have to do, and hopefully they’re tired from that. They’ve had a short turnaround as well, we’ve always done quite well at Hindmarsh against them, so I think tomorrow will be a stern test for us, but hopefully we’ve got the confidence and the things in place to get the three points.”

“They’ve got some very good players in their team from an offensive point of view and I don’t think they’ve got any reason to play with a defensive game plan.

"I think if they do that they could possibly play into our hands, so I think they’ll be coming out with their gloves on and trying to punch glove for glove.”

Tickets for the match are available through Ticketek (call 132 849, online at www.ticketek.com.au) and kick-off is at 7.30pm (ACDT) with gates open at 4.30pm for the National Youth League game which will be played as a curtain raiser.

Adelaide United FC v Wellington Phoenix
Referee: Alan Milliner

Tickets: Available through Ticketek (call 132 849, online at www.ticketek.com.au)
TV: Live and exclusive on FOX Sports 2
Radio: ABC Digital

Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4.Iain FYFE, 5.Daniel MULLEN, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 12.Paul REID, 13.Travis DODD (c), 16. Inseob SHIN, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)
* one to be omitted*

In: Marcos FLORES (returns from injury), Mathew LECKIE (returns from international duty), Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) (returns from international duty), Inseob SHIN (promoted)
Out: Cameron WATSON (contract expired), Joe KEENAN (contract expired), Nick Munro (gk)
Unavailable: Nigel BOOGAARD (ankle – 4 weeks), Lloyd OWUSU (knee – indefinite)

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Mark PASTON (gk), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 4.Nick WARD, 6.Tim BROWN, 7.Leo BERTOS, 8.Paul IFILL, 9.Chris GREENACRE, 11.DANIEL, 13.Troy HEARFIELD, 14.Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 15.Jade NORTH, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 19.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22.Andrew DURANTE (c)

In: Nil
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Tony LOCHHEAD (groin – 6 weeks)

Adelaide United vs. Wellington Phoenix – Hyundai A-League HEAD TO HEAD Record
Played 9 – 4 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss

30-Jan-2010… L 0-1… 2009/10 Rd 25 (AMI Stadium, Christchurch)
18-Dec-2009… D 1-1… 2009/10 Rd 20 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
4-Sep-2009… D 1-1… 2009/10 Rd 5 (Westpac Stadium)
18-Jan-2009… D 1-1… 2008/09 Rd 20 (Westpac Stadium)
5-Dec-2008… W 6-1… 2008/09 Rd 14 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
30-Aug-2008… W 3-0… 2008/09 Rd 3 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
30-Nov-2007… W 2-1… 2007/08 Rd 15 (Westpac Stadium)
28-Oct-2007… W 4-1… 2007/08 Rd 10 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
22-Sep-2007… D 2-2… 2007/08 Rd 5 (Westpac Stadium)

<At Hindmarsh Stadium
Played 4; Adelaide United 3, Wellington Phoenix 0, Draws 1

Last time they met in the Hyundai A-League
30-Jan-2010 Round 25, Hyundai A-League 2009/10 Season at AMI Stadium
Wellington Phoenix 1 (McKain 22’)
Adelaide United 0

Adelaide United last three results
Wk 10. 17-10-2010… D 0-0… vs. Gold Coast United (Skilled Park)
Wk 9. 4-10-2010… W 2-1… vs. Sydney FC (Sydney Football Stadium)
Wk 8. 24-09-2010… W 2-0… vs. Perth Glory (Hindmarsh Stadium)