Newcastle Jets can throw home ground advantage out of the window in Friday night’s winner-takes-all semi-final against Melbourne City.
That’s because McDonald Jones Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for City over the last couple of seasons.
The stats tell a worrying story for Ernie Merrick’s side.
City have won on four of their last five visits to the Hunter, including both trips in the 2017/18 Season.
And in that time they have outscored the Jets by 15 goals to five.
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It was just last that City came to McDonald Jones and taught the Jets a lesson in clinical football, scoring three goals from set pieces in a 3-0 triumph.
But it’s not just in Newcastle where City have enjoyed success in this fixture.
In all, the Melbourne club have won seven of the last 11 meetings between the clubs and are unbeaten in the last four.
Will that have any bearing on what unfolds on Friday night in this grand final qualifier? Can’t wait to find out!
OTHER MATCH FACTS
- Newcastle Jets have won their last three Hyundai A-League finals games at McDonald Jones Stadium; their only defeat in the post-season at home came in the inaugural campaign in a 1-0 loss to the Mariners.
- City have won four of their last five Hyundai A-League games (L1), keeping a clean sheet in each of those victories.
- The Jets have made six shots on target per game this Hyundai A-League season, more than any other club in the competition.
- Warren Joyce’s side have an 80% passing accuracy this campaign, the best of any team in the Hyundai A-League.
- Dimitri Petratos is set to make his 150th Hyundai A-League appearance. The Jets’ striker has created 71 scoring chances this season, the second-most of any player behind Victory’s Leroy George (73).
- City playmaker Luke Brattan has attempted (91) the most tackles of any player so far this Hyundai A-League campaign.
FOR TICKETS AND MATCH INFO CLICK HERE
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