With only two wins in their last seven Hyundai A-League fixtures, the task doesn’t get any easier for Newcastle Jets as they head west to take on Perth Glory.
Ernie Merrick’s side held high hopes heading onto the 2018/19 Season following their impressive run to the Hyundai A-League 2018 Grand Final.
Yet a slow start, where Newcastle took until Round 5 to register their first win, put them behind the eight ball.
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https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5992788219001
In saying that, Newcastle have gotten themselves back to winning ways via a 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners, giving them something to build on ahead of this massive encounter.
Kaine Sheppard was the hero on the night, grabbing his third goal of the campaign to accompany his two assists thus far.
In Newcastle’s way stands ladder leaders Perth Glory.
Tony Popovic’s side started the campaign ever so brightly, remaining unbeaten until they fell on their sword in Round 9 against Sydney FC.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5992855499001
Since then, Glory have taken 14 points from a possible 18, suggesting that blip long been forgotten.
The last time these two met, Perth raced out of the blocks with Neil Kilkenny and Jason Davidson putting the visitors up after 25 minutes.
And Glory has lost just two of their last 21 fixtures between the two clubs, an imposing run.
So can the Jets put up more of a fight come Sunday night (AEDT)?
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5980060824001
Key Opta stats
- Newcastle Jets will be searching for back-to-back Hyundai A-League wins against Perth Glory at HBF Stadium for the first time, after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory in their last game there (Round 10, 2017/18).
- The Glory have played out goalless draws in each of their last two game heading into this fixture; only twice in Hyundai A-League history has any team played out three consecutive 0-0 draws (Perth Glory in September 2007 & Melbourne Victory in September 2010).
- Only Central Coast Mariners (51) have made fewer shots on target than Perth Glory (72) this campaign; however, the men in purple boast the highest shot conversion rate (17.7%) of any club.
Ins and outs
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 17.Diego CASTRO, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 21.Jacob ITALIANO, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 27.JUANDE, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY **two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 21.Jacob ITALIANO
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 16.Tomislav MRCELA (thigh – 1 week), 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS (international duty)
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Dimi PETRATOS, 8.Jair, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 10.Ronald VARGAS, 11.Mitch AUSTIN, 13.Ivan VUJICA, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Nick COWBURN, 17.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 24.Joe CHAMPNESS, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLE **two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Jason HOFFMAN (return from suspension), 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (promoted), 23.Matt RIDENTON (promoted)
Outs: 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS (scheduled medical treatment – 1 week)
Unavailable: 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI (groin – 1 week)
How to watch
Tune in to FOX SPORTS 505 from 8pm AEDT or watch through the MyFootball Live App, which is Live, Fast and Data-Free for Telstra customers.
Tickets
Finish your week on a positive note by heading out to HBF Park for some thrilling football! CLICK HERE to secure your ticket.
Tipping
