Friday night football takes us to the Hunter with Newcastle Jets hosting the Western Sydney Wanderers in an intriguing pre-Christmas clash.
Despite injuries to some key attackers, the Jets remain on the tail of league-leaders Sydney FC, while the Wanderers finally got their first win under new boss Josep Gombau.
Who will prevail at McDonald Jones Stadium? Opta Data tries to help you out.
- Western Sydney Wanderers are undefeated in their last seven Hyundai A-League games against Newcastle Jets (W5, D2), keeping four clean sheets.
- McDonald Jones Stadium is the only venue where the Wanderers have played at more than twice in the Hyundai A-League and remain undefeated (W5, D3).
- The Jets come into this Hyundai A-League clash on the back of a two-game winning streak (each by a margin of 2-1). The last time they won more in succession was a three-game stretch in November 2013.
- Five of the Wanderers’ last seven Hyundai A-League games played on a weekday have seen both teams level after 90 minutes, with the Red and Black picking up just one win in that span (L2 inc. one on penalties).
- Ernie Merrick’s troops have scored six goals after the 75th minute this Hyundai A-League campaign, more than any other team. The Wanderers remains the only team yet to score in that interval.
- The Wanderers have scored 82% of their total goals in the opening halves of games this season, the highest percentage of any team in the Hyundai A-League.
- Jets defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley is on the cusp of his 100th Hyundai A-League victory, 48 of which he earned in a Wanderers jersey.
- Wanderers right-back Josh Risdon is set to play his 150th Hyundai A-League game; he’s picked up more wins against Newcastle Jets (10) than he has against any other side in the league.
