Roar Guru
The high-flying Newcastle Jets take on bottom-of-the-table Wellington Phoenix this afternoon as round seven of the A-League continues at Hunter Stadium. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEDT.
A look at the form lines, and indeed the table, says that this should be a comfortable home win for Newcastle, who came into the weekend sitting in third position, one point behind league leaders Central Coast and Adelaide.
Emile Heskey is in excellent form with five goals from six matches and has perfectly dovetailed with the youthful squad that Gary van Egmond has built.
Despite going down 1-0 to an early goal from Joey Gibbs, the Jets rebounded to lead 2-1 at half time thanks to goals from Heskey and fellow striker Ryan Griffiths and held firm in the second half to take all three points.
But if there is one team in the A-League that can never be underestimated, it is Ricki Herbert’s side Phoenix. A budget squad filled with New Zealand internationals and journeyman players, Wellington can beat anyone on their day.
They may be winless since round one, but the Kiwis have an excellent record against Newcastle and the Phoenix’s hardened professionals could cause the youthful Jets with their physicality.
Prediction
2-1 Newcastle. In a competition where draws are strangely rare, I can see the young Jets snatching a late winner in front of the Hunter.