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Two teams hoping to finish at the pointier end of the ladder go head-to-head tonight, with the Newcastle Jets taking on Adelaide United. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for live coverage.
The final round of the A-League season defines the outcome of many of the competing teams, but none more-so than Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United. Both these teams deserve to be higher than where they currently sit, and both who need to win tonight if they are to have any hope of finishing the season where they deserve.
For Adelaide, whose free-flowing, attacking football has gotten the better of every team at least once this season, a win tonight is not enough. They’ll be relying on the results of Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers if they’re to finish in the top three where they deserve.
The Wanderers and the Mariners both sit one point above Adelaide on 39 points.
If both these teams win, and Adelaide overcome Newcastle, then United will most likely finish fourth. If, however, the Mariners or Wanderers lose or draw, then a win for Adelaide will see the boys in red climb into a top three position and ACL qualification for next year.
Newcastle Jets equally deserve a win tonight despite an inconsistent season, with a loss leaving them in seventh position and outside of the top six.
But as well as a win, Newcastle need Sydney – who sit three points above them in sixth place – to lose their match. They then need to overcome a three-goal advantage, with Sydney FC on +1, and the Jets on -2.
A huge task from any team, but even more daunting when the task is against Adelaide, who have been in form running into the finals, and who are as equally hard to break down defensively as they are to score against.
But if there is any team in the league who is capable of overcoming Adelaide’s matured football, it is the Newcastle Jets who boast Golden Boot contender Adam Taggart, as well as Emile Heskey and Joel Griffiths.
Game Breaker
Adelaide will be looking to utilise the pace of Fabio Ferreira and Sergio Cirio on the flanks, as well as the playmaking abilities’ of Marcelo Carrusca and Isaias. A big performace will be needed from both wingers, who come up against some well performing fullback’s in Gallaway and Brilliante.
Without Tarek Elrich, Cameron Watson may be recalled into the starting line-up, with Malik at right full-back. No quality is lost though as has been demonstrated countless times this season.
In Michael Bridges’ last ever home match, Emile Heskey may not get as much game time as he would prefer. Another huge match is needed from Adam Taggart, and left winger David Carney will be looking to cause Osama Malik all sorts of grief after impressing in the Jets’ 2-2 draw against Melbourne last week.
But the biggest test for the Jets is at the back, where they have struggled all season, and will need to pull off something extraordinary if they are to stop Adelaide’s first-class football.
Prediction
Adam Taggart will score, and Michael Bridges will contribute a few quality touches, but the Jets’ won’t be able to overcome the might of Adelaide United. 3-1 to the Reds.
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