Newcastle Jets will get a good test of their recent resurgence when they travel to Coopers Stadium on Sunday to do battle with Adelaide United.
After going four games without a win to start the campaign, Ernie Merrickās Jets have won back-to-back matches to be on the cusp of the top six.
But they havenāt been able to beat the Reds in the last five meetings between the two clubs, including a 2-1 loss in the Hunter back in Round 3.
That was the start of a four-game winning streak for Gertjan Verbeekās Adelaide, which came to a surprise halt at home against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday, losing 2-1.
It should ensure the Reds are stinging to bounce back in front of their home fans in the final match of Round 9.
Although interestingly, each of Adelaide Unitedās last four Hyundai A-League games against NSW opposition has been won by the away team on the day.
Is that an omen for the Jets?
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Sunday, December 8 2019
Kick-off: 6.00pm AEDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
HOW TO WATCH: Every Hyundai A-League game in Round 9
WATCH: All the Mini Matches from Round 8
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Team news
Adelaide United squad: 2.Michael MARRONE, 4.Ryan STRAIN, 5.MichaĆ«l MARIA, 6.Vince LIA, 7.Ryan KITTO, 10.James TROISI, 11.Kristian OPSETH, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIÄ, 18.Lachlan BROOK, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN (c), 23.Jordan ELSEY, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Louis DāARRIGO, 30.Isaac RICHARDS (gk), 35.Al Hassan TOURE
**0-2 to be omitted**
Ins: 18.Lachlan BROOK (promoted)
Outs: 8.Riley McGREE (knee)
Unavailable: 31.Mirko BOLAND (knee), 36.Noah SMITH (foot)
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Bobby BURNS, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 10.Dimi PETRATOS, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Matt MILLAR, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matt RIDENTON, 28.Pat LANGLOIS, 32.Angus THURGATE, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY
**0-1 to be omitted**
Ins: 14.Kaine SHEPPARD (return from injury)
Outs: 9.Abdiel ARROYO (hamstring), 19.Kosta PETRATOS (omitted)
Unavailable: 8.Wes HOOLAHAN (ankle ā indefinite), 9.Abdiel ARROYO (hamstring)
Did you know?
- Adelaide United have lost only one of their last eight Hyundai A-League games against the Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium (W5, D2); keeping five clean sheets in that span.
- The Jets have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two Hyundai A-League games; the last time they kept more in succession was a three-game stretch in January 2013.
- The Jetsā Dimitri Petratos (2 goals, 2 assists) and Adelaide Unitedās Riley McGree (6 goals, 2 assists) are two of the three players to have both scored and assisted multiple goals this Hyundai A-League campaign (Ola Toivonen – 5 goals, 2 assists).