Last-placed Newcastle Jets entertain Hyundai A-League pacesetters Sydney FC at 7.30pm AEDT on Friday requiring a performance to breathe life into their faltering campaign.
Newcastle were hammered 4-0 by Melbourne Victory in Round 13, the club’s fourth defeat in five matches, and one which saw the club make the decision to part ways with coach Ernie Merrick.
The Jets will need to muster a much-improved performance to compete with Sydney, who kept their Premiership assault motoring on with a 2-1 victory over Adelaide United last time out.
Sydney’s lead at the Hyundai A-League summit stands at nine points and although Steve Corica’s men should be confident of retaining or extending that advantage, Newcastle will be desperate to upset the form book and spring what would be the shock of the season so far.
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Friday, 10 January 2020
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
HOW TO WATCH: All the action in Round 14
ROUND 13: Team of the Week
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Team news
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Bobby BURNS, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 9.Abdiel ARROYO, 10.Dimi PETRATOS, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Matt MILLAR, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 19.Kosta PETRATOS, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matt RIDENTON, 25.Jack SIMMONS, 28.Pat LANGLOIS, 31.Maki PETRATOS, 32.Angus THURGATE, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY **2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 9.Abdiel ARROYO (return from injury), 19.Kosta PETRATOS (promoted), 25.Jack SIMMONS (promoted), 31.Maki PETRATOS (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (adductor – 2-4 weeks), 8.Wes HOOLAHAN (ankle – 6 weeks)
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Patrick FLOTTMANN, 4.Alex WILKINSON (c), 5.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 6.Ryan McGOWAN, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 16.Joel KING, 17.Anthony CACERES, 21.Harry VAN DER SAAG, 24.Marco TILIO, 25.Ryan TEAGUE, 27.Jordi SWIBEL, 28.Calem NIEUWENHOF, 30.Adam PAVLESIC (gk). **0-2 to be omitted**
Ins: 10.Milos NINKOVIC (return from rest week)
Outs: 26.Luke BRATTAN (1 match – suspension)
Unavailable: 3.Ben WARLAND (ACL), 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (international duty), 13.Brandon O’NEILL (knee), 18.Luke IVANOVIC (quad), 19.Chris ZUVELA (knee), 20.Tom HEWARD-BELLE (knee), 23.Rhyan GRANT (1 match – suspension)
Did you know?
- Sydney FC have won 14 of their last 19 Hyundai A-League games against the Newcastle Jets (D3, L2); though, the Hunter club are undefeated in their last three home games against the Sky Blues, conceding just two goals in that period.
- The Jets have conceded four or more goals in three of their last four Hyundai A-League games, as many times as they had done so in their 66 games prior.
- The Sky Blues have scored a goal with every 5.7 total shots (inc. blocks) this Hyundai A-League season, the best of any team; Newcastle Jets (14.9) are ranked last in this category.
- Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre has scored 10 first-half goals this Hyundai A-League season, the most of any player; however, he’s bagged only two second-half goals in the same period.
