Expert
Sydney FC have beaten the Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium to claim top position on the ladder, on what was a wet and wild night in Sydney.
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Final score
Sydney FC 2
Newcastle Jets 1
Sydney FC return to their home patch to take on the high flying Newcastle Jets. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
There would have been something a little heated in the preparations of the champions throughout the week after the shock loss to the impressive Mariners at Gosford last week.
In a result in which the Sky Blues looked flat, out of sorts and completely outplayed, chief grumpy smurf Graham Arnold, will have put plenty of work into the squad, knowing that a bounce back is vital.
Two weeks of football in the style they produced last week will be deemed unacceptable by the manager.
The Jets chalked up another good win last week and sit atop after six weeks. The luckless Adelaide were their victims and despite an average start, their attacking weapons seem to always come to the fore at some point during a game.
The injury to Ronny Vargas was met with much gloom, however the Jets haven’t taken a backward step and new manager Ernie Merrick has them firing on all cylinders.
After Melbourne City’s loss to Brisbane last night, this game becomes a straight out clash for the top spot on the ladder and one that will set up the victor with much confidence and momentum, as we move towards the middle section of the season.
Prediction
Sydney will bunker down in this one tonight and tighten up defensively. Newcastle will attack with the same speed and width they have been using in recent weeks. In an interesting match-up, I feel a draw is the most likely result.
Sydney FC 1, Newcastle 1
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 7:50pm (AEDT).