A-League – Match Preview – Adelaide United vs Newcastle Jets

A-League – Match Preview – Adelaide United vs Newcastle Jets

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Adelaide United will hope to continue their impressive resurgence when they host a struggling Newcastle Jets side, low on confidence at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.

The Reds are currently the in-form team of the competition, unbeaten in eight consecutive games and more pertinently, winning their previous three matches and scoring 10 goals in the process. A comprehensive 4-1 trouncing of Brisbane Roar last week was arguably United’s most disciplined performance during Guillermo Amor’s reign. Content with remaining compact, Adelaide were structured and combined explosiveness on the break with efficiency in front of goal to consign the league leaders to their inaugural home loss. Although belief is high among the squad, the Reds need to be wary of a Jets outfit they have not yet beaten in the two meetings this term. However, an incredible renaissance sees them occupy sixth spot in the league standings on 23 points, enjoying a seven-point gap over the nearest sides below them.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s impressive 3-1 victory over Wellington Phoenix two weeks ago, in which they also ended a six-match goalless drought, was quickly rendered irrelevant after it was subsequently annihilated 6-1 by a rampant Perth Glory. Coach Scott Miller will have his work cut out in trying to curtail the Reds’ fluidity and motivate his troops following such a disastrous outing. The Jets’ positive start to the campaign seems a distant memory and indicates the plight they are presently in – winning just one of their past 12 games. Consequently, Miller’s men are ninth on the table with 16 points.


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Key Battle – Craig Goodwin vs Mateo Poljak

Craig Goodwin is undoubtedly on a sensational run, registering three goals in his preceding five matches and has the ilk to beat any opponent in one-on-one situations thanks to his sheer pace. The 24-year-old also possesses a decent cross when attempting to find his teammates in the middle. With the Jets expected to defend in numbers, Goodwin will need to provide an outlet by staying wide to receive the ball which will in turn stretch the back four and create openings, allowing Marcelo Carrusca space to play through balls.

Poljak will presumably have the strenuous task of marking Carrusca to restrict his influence on proceedings and prevent the Argentine maestro from orchestrating Adelaide’s attacking play. The Croatian will need to ensure he also acts as a screen in front of the Newcastle defence to intercept awry passes and snuff out any danger.


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Team News

Amor will likely recall Michael Marrone back to the starting line-up at the expense of Jordan Elsey, while George Mells should retain his place due to James Jeggo’s departure to Austrian club Sturm Graz. Sergio Cirio could recover from a hamstring strain in time for the clash, while Eli Babalj is a certain omission after suffering a season ending knee injury against Brisbane. New acquisition Stefan Mauk will likely start from the bench, after leaving Melbourne City in a deal which saw versatile fan-favourite Osama Malik move in the opposite direction.

As for Miller, he will have to find a way of plugging the recent concession of goals without captain and centre-back Nigel Boogaard, following his send-off for two bookable offences against the Glory. However, utility Ben Kantarovski returns from suspension and could be deployed in his auxiliary role as a centre-half. Playmaker Leonardo should also feature from the outset, after consecutive appearances as a substitute due to injury. Recent signing Morten Nordstrand, a former Danish international, will have to wait until next week to make his A-League debut.

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Head-to-head

The pair have encountered on 33 occasions with Adelaide having the edge over their counterparts with 13 victories to the Jets’ 10, leaving 10 draws. Furthermore, the Reds are unbeaten in their last four games over Newcastle and have incidentally kept them scoreless in all those matches, while the visitors have only triumphed on three separate occasions at Coopers Stadium, their most recent in November 2013.

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Previous Meeting

The last time these two sides met culminated in another 0-0 draw at Hunter Stadium with nothing separating these two sides for the second time this campaign.

Prediction

Although there have already been two 0-0 draws between the couple this season it could be third time lucky for Adelaide – who were unfortunate not to come away with the three points in December. The Reds’ formidable resurgence appears set to continue at home and are perhaps an improved side from last year, demonstrating resilience in the win over the Roar – something which has previously eluded them. Newcastle will probably defend deep to compensate experiencing another resounding loss, however do pose a threat on the counter-attack. Nevertheless, if the hosts are determined and show no signs of complacency it should be a routine win.

Adelaide United 3 Newcastle Jets 0

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