A potentially-season defining clash for both sides at AAMI Park on Sunday as Melbourne City host Newcastle Jets.
With the top six threatening to break away from the chasing pack, Ernie Merrick’s seventh-placed Jets will be desperate to avoid defeat to keep in touch with the sides above them.
While they missed the chance to close in on the finals places with their 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar on Wednesday night, there was plenty to like about the Hunter club’s display.
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
HOW TO WATCH: See every game in Round 11 of the Hyundai A-League
SQUAD NEWS: See who made the cut for your team
But they’ll need to improve their efficiency in attack if they are to trouble a City side who started 2019 in perfect fashion with a 2-0 win over the Wanderers on New Years’ Day.
Youngster Lachlan Wales and defender Ritchie De Laet got the goals for Warren Joyce’s side, who are within striking distance of both Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory above them on the ladder.
These sides last met in early December, with City running out convincing 3-0 winners at AAMI Park.
Key Opta stats
- The Jets have not won at AAMI Park since Round 4 2015/16 – since then, they have played seven games at the venue and scored just five goals (D2, L5).
- The Jets have not won at AAMI Park since Round 4 2015/16 – since then, they have played seven games at the venue and scored just five goals (D2, L5).
- The Jets have scored just one first-half goal in their last five away games but have gone on to lose the game just twice in this span (W2, D1).
Ins and Outs
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 2.Ritchie De LAET, 3.Scott JAMIESON (c) , 4.Harrison DELBRIDGE, 5.Bart SCHENKEVELD, 6.Osama MALIK, 8.Riley MCGREE, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 11.Michael O’HALLORAN, 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 18.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 19.Lachlan WALES, 21.Ramy NAJJARINE, 22.Curtis GOOD, 25.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 26.Luke BRATTAN, 34.Connor METCALFE. **two to be omitted**
Ins: 22.Curtis GOOD (promoted), 25.Iacopo LA ROCCA (promoted), 34.Connor METCALFE (promoted)
Outs: 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: 27.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER (calf)
Newcastle Jets squad: 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Dimi PETRATOS, 8.Jair, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 10.Ronald VARGAS, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Nick COWBURN, 17.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 32.Angus THURGATE, 40.Noah JAMES (gk), 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY. **two to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Nick COWBURN (promoted), 32.Angus THURGATE (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Glen MOSS (quad – 1 week), 24.Joe CHAMPNESS (foot – TBC)
How to watch
Tune in to FOX SPORTS 505 to catch Sunday’s enticing contest, which kicks off at 5.00pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App.
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
Tickets
Make sure you’re there to see the action as City take on the Jets here!
Tipping
