Expert
Melbourne Heart will be desperate for three points when they tackle the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park tonight. Join us for live scores and a play-by-play description from 5.30pm AEDT.
John Van’t Schip’s side are languishing at the bottom of the heap and will be hoping they can finally register their first win.
While the Heart haven’t been impressive they haven’t been awful either, but they have failed to hold onto a lead too often this season.
Meanwhile the Jets are sitting pretty in second place after their win against Perth last weekend, and will want to push on with the squad beginning to get accustomed to Gary van Egmond’s training regime and playing style.
The side hasn’t hit top gear yet, and their position in the standings will have them confident of a possible top-four finish.
The signing of Michael Bridges during the week will buoy the players, however his return to the field will have to wait another week – flu, apparently.
The Jets’other recent acquisition, Francis Jeffers, is sure to start after his promising 67 minutes last week and Jeremy Brockie will most certainly join him after last week’s brace.
Tiago returns too, though it will be interesting to see if he replaces Taylor Regan, who has been impressive in the Brazilian’s absence.
Zadkovich is out, and Kantarovski seems to be touch and go, so a starting place for youth team captain Jacob Pepper could be on the cards.
The Heart will line-up without the suspended Simon Colosimo, and Curtis Good is away on international duty.
That could provide Adrian Madaschi with his debut and chance to force his way into the starting 11.
The return of Fred last week was also good news for the struggling side, with the captain likely to start the match.
Heart’s heralded attack has failed to fire so far this season, with the promising David Williams particularly disappointing.
However they can take solace in the fact that the Jets have failed to register points in eight of their last nine away fixtures.
This is crunch week in the A-League, with the table threatening to split up if the Central Coast, Brisbane Roar and the Jets all join Adelaide in claiming three points.
Heart needs the points, and the Jets’ poor away form could see a home win.
Will the red and white finally deliver for their fans? Or will the Jets continue their early-season form and banish their away hoodoo?
We’ll have live scores and commentary of all the action from 5.30pm AEDT, so join in and post your thoughts below.