Roar Guru
Last time these sides together, Adelaide United won 7-0 at Hindmarsh. Will the Reds match that feat, or will the Newcastle Jets get revenge? Join us for live scores, commentary and a bit of a chin wag from 5pm (AEDT).
The Jets aren’t flying high. Having been cushioned by the Wanderers for most of the season, a recent upturn in Western Sydney’s form has seen the pillow pulled out from underneath the Jets, making a giant thud and leaving the Novocastrians stone last.
Also on the downside is probably everything about the club. The players haven’t been good, the owner’s in a bit of trouble, the coach has faced mutinies, and so on.
However, on the upside is the fact that just last week the Jets beat the Wanderers in Parramatta, their first win since their first match against Adelaide this season, a 2-1 win at Hunter Stadium on December 19. While that was long ago, keep in mind the sizeable break the league took for the Asian Cup.
There isn’t much in this game for the Jets, as they’re more than the maximum 15 points from the lowest team in the top six (that’s Melbourne City, who are on 30 points).
On the other hand, Adelaide will be looking forward to this game to cement their place in the top six. The only team capable of knocking them out of the top six is the Brisbane Roar, who are in seventh, have a game in hand, but 12 fewer points. Given that there is only six games left for the Roar, three points at Hunter for the Reds would all but lock up their finals spot.
The only outs from this week is the Reds’ Tarek Elrich, who’s been called up to the Socceroos, as well as youngsters Andrew Hoole (Jets) and John Hall (Reds), who are with the Olyroos. Otherwise, apart from their already crocked, the teams will be raring to go. Sorta. I imagine the Jets players can’t wait for their end-of-season holiday.
Prediction
Expect Adelaide to go through the motions, and only really crank into gear if Newcastle begin to play well. Seeing as Newcastle are only playing for pride, which is something you can’t make money from in this capitalist world of ours, don’t expect them to put up much of a fight.
Newcastle Jets 1 – 3 Adelaide United