This time last year these Hyundai A-League sides could not have been on more different paths.
Newcastle Jets were flying high on their way to a top-two finish and ultimately a home Grand Final while Wellington Phoenix were limping to a ninth-placed finish, just one point away from a wooden spoon.
Fast forward to this Saturday’s 5.35pm (AEDT) kick off and the roles, while not quite reversed, have certainly changed.
RIDENTON: Kiwi relishing Wellington return with Jets’ season on the line
HONDA IS A MACHINE: Victory unfazed by star’s absence ahead of Glory clash
KEOGH’S JOURNEY: How Viduka and Kewell set Irishman on path Down Under
INJURY UPDATE: Key men return for Sydney, Jets dealt big blow
The Phoenix are set for a first finals appearance in four years, while the Jets desperately trying to keep their hopes alive.
Wellington are in fourth place, eight points ahead of the seventh-placed Jets and it seems like the Mark Rudan renaissance will bear fruit in its first season.
Newcastle had put together a solid run this calendar year and were unbeaten since February before their shock 3-2 loss to Central Coast Mariners in Round 22.
They enter this encounter at Westpac Stadium knowing that nothing but three points will suffice if they are to still entertain hopes of catching sixth-placed Adelaide United.
These teams have met as recently as February where they played out an entertaining, end-to-end 1-1 draw at McDonald Jones Stadium and fans can expect another enthralling affair this time around.
The Phoenix have netted 11 goals in comprehensive wins over the Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers, while the Jets have simply no choice but to attack in order to leave New Zealand’s capital with a win.
Key Opta stats
- Wellington Phoenix have won 12 of their last 15 Hyundai A-League games against Newcastle Jets at Westpac Stadium (D1, L2), including their last three on the bounce.
- Newcastle Jets have won their last two Hyundai A-League games on the bounce away from home. The last time they won more in succession was a three-game stretch at the beginning of Ernie Merrick’s tenure as manager in 2017.
- The Jets enjoy a success rate of 26% on open play crosses this season, the highest in the Hyundai A-League and 10 percentage points higher than the last-ranked Wellington Phoenix (16%).
Ins and outs
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Filip KURTO (gk), 3.Justin GULLEY, 4.Mandi SOSA, 5.Ryan LOWRY, 7.Cillian SHERIDAN, 11.David WILLIAMS, 12.Antony GOLEC, 13.Liberato CACACE, 14.Alex RUFER, 15.Michal KOPZCYNSKI, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Callan ELLIIOT, 18.Sarpreet SINGH, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Oliver SAIL (gk), 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Max BURGESS, 27.Steven TAYLOR **two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Justin GULLEY (return from injury) 18.Sarpreet SINGH (return from suspension) 19.Tom DOYLE (return from injury)
Outs: 9.Nathan BURNS (not selected), 21.Roy KRISHNA (suspended – 1 week), 32.Gianni STENSNESS (not selected)
Unavailable: Nil
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Dimi PETRATOS, 8.Jair, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 13.Ivan VUJICA, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Nick COWBURN, 17.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matt RIDENTON, 24.Joe CHAMPNESS, 32.Angus THURGATE, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY **two to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI (return injury), 13.Ivan VUJICA (return from international duty), 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS (return from international duty), 24.Joe CHAMPNESS (return from international duty)
Outs: 10.Ronald VARGAS (hamstring – 1 week), 11.Kwabena APPIAH (not selected)
Unavailable: 3.Jason HOFFMAN (ankle – TBC)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5999530168001
How to watch
Find out whether the Jets can keep their slim finals dream alive by tuning in to FOX SPORTS 505 at 5.35pm (AEDT) on Saturday. You can also stream the match by subscribing to Kayo Sports.
Tickets
Secure your seat to this crunch clash here!
