The Wollongong-based side will make the trip up to Campbelltown to face the A-League newcomers. There is plenty at stake for both teams; the Phoenix are aiming to bounce back from their round-one loss to reigning champions Sydney FC, while the Bulls are keen to atone after dropping their first game at home last week.

Phoenix striker David Ball knows it's a crucial clash.

"We're obviously looking forward to getting back out there for the first time [at Campbelltown]. They're a new team but they've got some good experience right through the spine. I think they'll want to get back to their winning ways after their defeat to the Central Coast Mariners," Ball said.

"I think it will just be two teams who want to get back to their winning ways, it will be a tough encounter. We're going there to take three points, and they'll want to take the three points off us and get the first win under the belt on their home ground."

After finishing a club-high third last season, Wellington had a disrupted preparation for their 2020/21 campaign. The side has been based in the Illawarra since November due to travel restrictions caused by COVID-19.

However, the Phoenix showed glimpses of brilliance in their 2-1 loss to Sydney FC last week. The hosts had four new faces, including Tomer Hemed and Mirza Muratovic up front.

The experience of players like Ball and captain Ulises Davila will be crucial as their attack continues to gel.

"There were a lot of positives to take from that [first game]. They obviously scored two world-class goals that will probably be in goal of the season contention at the end of the season. You don't usually get them in matches, let alone two in one match. I think we showed a really good mentality to try to come back and really push last year's champions to the final whistle," Ball said.

"We've got a few new players and I think we were a bit tentative in the first half. But obviously with Tomer and 'Uli' coming on to the pitch, with their presence alone, we pushed them back a lot more and started to believe that we could actually go on and win the game. It's great for the likes of Mirza to play alongside the likes of Tomer, Uli and hopefully myself. We can help them along and they'll be really big players throughout the season."

After arriving from EFL Championship club Rotterham United, Ball made a big impression in his debut campaign at the Phoenix last season. The 31-year-old Englishman scored six goals and had four assists on his way to winning the club's Player of the Year award.

He is keen to lead from the front again this season.

"I've got a season under my belt in the A-League and I've been around the English league, so I've got some experience to share with our new players," Ball said. "I want to do something special with this team and I think we can achieve that."