Wellington have shipped 11 goals over their past two A-League Men games but Western United are well aware the Phoenix could prove a banana skin to their hopes of keeping the Premiers Plate race alive.
The Phoenix, who have been hit by injury and COVID-19 related absences, lost to Melbourne City 6-0 on Saturday then Central Coast 5-0 on Tuesday.
United sit eight points behind leaders City in second place, albeit with three games in hand, and need to keep winning to stay in touch with the top.
But coach John Aloisi was wary ahead of Saturday's clash at Morshead Park.
"Against Melbourne City the scoreline was a bit flattering for Melbourne City. We know how good Melbourne City can be and how ruthless they can be," he said.
"Wellington conceded three set pieces against the Mariners, the Mariners did dominate that game.
"We know that Wellington have a few injuries, a few players out, so they've had a pretty disrupted time of late but they're still a tough side and we still have to make sure that we're ready to go."
Wellington have consistently proved dangerous in transition under Ufuk Talay and Aloisi said United had received a good preparation in their 2-2 draw with Central Coast, who are similarly threatening on the counter.
Talay indicated the review of the thumping loss to the Mariners had been an honest one.
"There were a few videos that we showed to the players and I think it was a little bit of an eye opener," he said.
"We spoke about where we're at as a group and what we need to do to get out of this."
Despite the heavy losses, Talay was confident Wellington still had the quality to snag a finals spot.
"I think 37 points will get us into the top six. I think it's three wins and a draw we need to get us in that position," he said.
"We need to get a decent result against Western United and a decent result against Perth and then we're looking forward to those two games back at home."
Wellington defender James McGarry hasn't made the trip to Ballarat after testing positive to COVID-19.
Jaushua Sotirio could be elevated to the starting line-up after a successful return off the bench while Reno Piscopo should be fit despite an ankle knock.
United's Rene Khrin will return from hamstring tightness but Connor Pain and Dylan Pierias are touch-and-go with ankle injuries.
Alessandro Diamanti (knee) and Josh Risdon (syndesmosis) remain sidelined.
