The Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC meet at Hunter Stadium, one of the venues of the 2015 Asian Cup, on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:30pm (AEDT).
Sydney FC and Newcastle both enter this match stuck in the bottom half of the ladder, making every chance to gain some valuable points extremely vital for each team.
With the competition so tightly poised, a win to either club will see their stocks rise significantly, and give them a far improved chance at making a run at the finals.
Both teams are coming off wins last week and will draw confidence from that heading into this match.
Newcastle achieved a surprise 1-0 victory over the Brisbane Roar, while Sydney got a handy home victory against Perth Glory.
Despite the confidence these results will give each side, Sydney should enter the match with significant belief they can take the points; they have dominated the head-to-head battle with Newcastle this season, accounting for them twice with a 2-nil scoreline in each of their meetings.
Sydney bring Daniel Petkovski, Richard Garcia, Dylan Caton and Matt Thompson into their squad, while Aaron Calver will miss through suspension, and Milos Dimitrijevic due to injury.
Newcastle welcome Taylor Regan, Andrew Hoole, David Carney and Joel Griffiths into their squad, while Jacob Pepper is out with a knee injury, and Kew Jaliens misses through suspension.
We should be in for an exciting game of football this afternoon, as both teams are playing to stay in the chase for A-League glory in 2014.
Join The Roar for live scores from 5:30pm(AEDT)
Griffo
Roar Guru
Classic. We beat Roar three times but lose to Sydney thrice. I think pretty much the team that finished the game should start next week: Griffiths has more pace and movement than Heskey; Hoole more confidence and touch to take on the players than Virgilli. In general we looked more likely to play some combinations vertically with these players Carney made his first appearance but solid without much time to do anything but looked a little tired so more time there. Zadkovich looks out of sorts at the moment. SFC certainly played on the counter with two lines of four in defence just below half way, but we at times too slow early on to get past that. We find it hard to break down packed defences so something we need to deal with at home. More work for Clacka, although better game tactics for the likes of SFC?. I just hope it doesn't come down to a win against Adelaide at home in the last round and some throw of the dice from the football gods for us to make the top six for third year running. It very much looks that way and perhaps Clacka will be dropped back to assistant if we miss finals again...
Punter
Guest
They were 2 very poor teams out there today.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Just be grateful we won. Frank is not as bad as the Cove think. He may lack a bit of technical nous, but still has the cunning of a cornered Fox.
fadida
Guest
If the Og goes to the WC we'll be smashed. Slower than ADP. And the height of those shorts!
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
ADP scores from the spot..stupid play from Taylor Regan! Newcastle 0 - 2 Sydney. Sydney to be sitting in third after this match.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
No idea how we're in front we're playing like a bunch of under 12's.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Come on Sydney. Nice work Ognenovski!
Punter
Guest
People still think Frank Farina can coach. Not surprised, this how we have played all year.
fadida
Guest
Terrible half. Jets so static. Not a single player moving to receive the ball/run in behind
bill boomer
Guest
Getting close to finals for me is time to tune out or switch to cup mode. Maybe fouth can win the seat which truly reflects their performance over the season. piffle. Having said that Sydney to win today
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I hope you've got your money on Heart 3-1.
Dave
Guest
yeah it's been great, really looking forward to the roar vs heart clash, ladder leaders vs in-form side.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I'm hoping its a cracking game as well as the other two tonight. This season has been fantastic and really close as well. It's hard to keep up sometimes.
Dave
Guest
Tough one to call, amazing how many games of late have had teams get on a run and just destroy the opposition, with that in mind I think this could go either way. Really enjoying the a-league at the moment, getting close to finals time so the attackers are out in force. Too close to separate... 2-2
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I want Sydney to win but I think Newcastle will.