Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar will both be looking for three points to move into the top six on the A-League ladder when they meet at Hunter Stadium tonight. We’ll have live scores from 7.45pm AEDT.
Newcastle’s 0-0 with Adelaide last week might have looked a drab, uninspiring result but coach Gary van Egmond would have taken many positives from the game.
The Jets defence has looked shaky at the best of times in season eight, but last Saturday was the first time during their 15-game campaign that they have kept a clean sheet.
In addition, James Virgili and James Brown both had strong performances in the front third of the pitch and they’ll give Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey headaches if they are up and about again tonight.
Brisbane were well-held by A-League cellar dwellers Melbourne Heart last weekend, with Besart Berisha’s late goals making the scoreline a respectable 3-2.
Unfortunately for the Jets, injuries will force Gary van Egmond to once again reshuffle his lineup. Emile Heskey has not recovered from a quad injury and will miss while skipper Jobe Wheelhouse has been named on the bench.
Ruben Zadkovich has been named to start despite being under an injury crowd throughout the week, and local junior Andrew Hoole will make his A-League debut at right back for the home side.
Brisbane have no such injuries concerns, and will be boosted by the addition of former Jets skipper Jade North, who signed for the Roar during the week and looks set to start against the club he won an A-League championship with.
These sides sit in eighth and seventh position respectively, and with only 11 matches remaining in the season it is time to make a statement.
Both sides will fancy their chances in this one and the winner could put a serious dent in their opposition’s top-six hopes with three points tonight.