Melbourne Victory
4
Match Complete
Newcastle Jets
0
| M. Millar |  | 86' | ||
| A. Nabbout | | 64' | ||
| M. Basha | | 61' | ||
| 24' |  | B. Burns | ||
| R. Kruse | | 9' |
| 18 | Shots | 9 | ||
| 6 | On Target | 4 | ||
| 10 | Fouls | 9 | ||
| 7 | Corners | 2 | ||
| 6 | Offsides | 0 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets will be closing Round 13 of the A-League at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:30pm (AEDT).
Melbourne Victory is off form but will be confident going into this game – their last game came two weeks ago, bringing a win in the Melbourne derby against City. However, they still have managed to win only three games this season and sit just three points above the Jets in eighth place.
The worst news for Victory is that Ola Toivonen is suspended for this clash due to picking up his fifth yellow card, which merits a hiatus. This will cause a reshuffle in the front line that could see either Robbie Kruse or Andrew Nabbout lead the line.
I would play both of them upfront with two strikers, meaning that they could bounce off each other and create havoc, but Marco Kurz will likely stick with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
Kenny Athiu is also a wildcard option to lead the line.
Newcastle Jets are also a team without an out-and-out striker and have been attempting to utilise Angus Thurgate in that role, although it hasn’t exactly been going to plan.
They haven’t won in their last four games, and after losing by four goals to Melbourne City and Perth Glory they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Brisbane Roar.
They miss the positioning and physicality that Abdiel Arroyo brings to their game and haven’t looked like scoring in recent weeks.
They are underdogs going into this game, but with Toivonen out for Melbourne Victory, anything could be possible.
Prediction
With both sides lacking their main strikers, I don’t think either one of their sides will be able to make up for it. I am predicting a dull 0-0 draw, but hopefully it’s anything but that!
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, with the game kicking off at 6:30pm (AEDT).
Game information
Kick-off: 6:30pm (AEDT)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, MyFootballLive app
Betting: Melbourne $2.15, Newcastle $3.10, draw $3.60
Melbourne Victory
2. Storm Roux, 3. Corey Brown, 4. James Donachie, 5. Tim Hoogland, 6. Leigh Broxham, 7. Kenny Athiu, 8. Jakob Poulsen, 9. Andrew Nabbout, 10. Robbie Kruse, 16. Josh Hope, 17. Elvis Kamsoba, 18. Migjen Basha, 19. Ben Carrigan, 20. Lawrence Thomas, 21. Adama Traore, 22. Kristijan Dobras, 24. Anthony Lesiotis, 25. Brandon Lauton, 26. Jay Barnett, 50. Brendan White
Newcastle Jets
1. Glen Moss, 2. Bobby Burns, 3. Jason Hoffman, 5. Ben Kantarovski, 6. Steven Ugarkovic, 10. Dimi Petratos, 11. Nick Fitzgerald, 14. Kaine Sheppard, 16. Matt Millar, 18. Johnny Koutroumbis, 19. Kosta Petratos, 20. Lewis Italiano, 22. Lachlan Jackson, 23. Matt Ridenton, 25. Jack Simmons, 28. Pat Langlois, 32. Angus Thurgate, 44. Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
Safe to say that was Robbie Kruse's best match since returning from Europe. I agree with Jack, Kruse's play should make Kurz rethink using Toivonen and Kruse together.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me for live coverage of Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets, I hope everyone has a great week!
Jack George
Roar Guru
Match Report: Melbourne Victory seems to have finally returned to their best and have done so in some style, cruising to a 4-0 win against Newcastle Jets. Robbie Kruse was undoubtedly the man of the match, providing two assists and one goal, but also looking like a threat every time he got the ball no matter what position he was in. Melbourne Victory straight away set a statement of intent that they were going to bring the game right to Newcastle and controlled the first ten minutes of play. They took the lead in the eighth minute through Robbie Kruse, who finished clinically after a stunning ball to beat every line on the pitch from Leigh Broxham. Broxham was classy in the centre-back role, he didn’t put a foot wrong position-wise in defence and was consistently setting the tempo in the attack. He had the confidence to break the lines with passes, often skipping multiple at once as shown with the first goal. It was an even rest of the first half as both teams struggled to find space throughout the rest of the first half. The second goal of the night for Melbourne Victory came for the birthday boy Migjen Basha after Kruse cut inside and unleashed a powerful drive at Glenn Moss. Moss did well to parry the ball out, but it only found Migjen Basha who calmly slotted home Melbourne’s second of the night. Melbourne wasn’t looking to stop there, and the third goal came just three minutes later after some more brilliant work from Robbie Kruse, this time on the right allowed Nabbout the time and space to drive the ball straight into the back of the net, well beyond Glenn Moss’s reach. Melbourne Victory’s fourth goal came after an unlucky deflection from Matthew Millar ended up in the back of the net. Robbie Kruse played beautifully leading the line and was dangerous no matter where he was on the pitch, as stated before. Ola Toivonen will likely come back into the starting team for Melbourne, but if I’m Marco Kurz I would be considering playing with two strikers after the game Robbie Kruse had. Melbourne Victory has gained back the swagger they have been missing so far this season and will be confident going into their away clash against Central Coast Mariners, whereas Newcastle will host 1st placed Sydney FC. Final score: Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
FULLTIME! Melbourne Victory prevail 4-0 here at AAMI Park! The match report will be out in ten minutes but in the meantime discuss your thoughts on the match! Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
90 + 2' Petratos finally finds a pocket of space but struggles to find any teammates with a pass. Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
90 + 1' Melbourne Victory are just sitting back and conserving pressure. However, Langlois gets the better of Lesiotis and Petratos's shot is just wide of the far post. Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
90' Newcastle still playing very attacking as they look for a consolation goal to keep Melbourne Victory from maintaining another clean sheet. Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
90' There will be four minutes of stoppage time here at AAMI park. Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
89' The game is well and truly over here at AAMI Park but Melbourne Victory still want more. Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
88' What a save!!!! Kamsoba beats two on the right and Robbie Kruse plays a brilliant dummy as Josh Hope has a free shot but it's just too central and Moss gets something to it. Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
87' Koutrumbous has been deemed unfit to continue so Matthew Ridenton will be coming on for him, as it seems that Patrick Langlois will play the remaining minutes at left-back. Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
86' GOALLLLLL! It's four for Melbourne Victory! In the end, it's an own goal as Matthew Millar directs the ball the wrong way and watches it lamely roll into the back of the net. Melbourne Victory 4, Newcastle Jets 0
86'
Jack George
Roar Guru
85' There is space for Melbourne Victory on the right as Koutrumbous remains out, and Melbourne Victory are going all out in attack. Melbourne Victory 3, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
84' Koutrumbous is being patched up and looks as if he will continue for now. Melbourne Victory 3, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
83' Johnny Koutrumbous has gone down for the time being but is up on his feet now. Melbourne Victory 3, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
82' Chance for Melbourne Victory after Adam Traore wins a 50 50 against Lachlan Jackson, but his squared ball is too far forward for Kenny Athiu. Melbourne Victory 3, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
81' Kaine Sheppard has looked lively since coming on but this time can't get the better of his marker, this time being Adama Traore. Melbourne Victory 3, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
80' Elvis Kamsoba plays Robbie Kruse through who holds up play well before passing intelligently to Kenny Athiu who takes too much time to shoot. Melbourne Victory 3, Newcastle Jets 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
79' Substitution for Melbourne Victory. Andrew Nabbout is coming off as Josh Hope replaces him. Melbourne Victory 3, Newcastle Jets 0