The Jets will be looking to turn around their form as the free scoring Melbourne City head to their home away from home.
Newcastle return to Hunter Stadium after a week of off-field turmoil that many in Newcastle thought the club had moved beyond. David Carney was left out of last week’s 1-0 loss to the Reds in Adelaide and has since moved on to Sydney FC. The Jets were desperate to receive a player in return from the Sky Blues, notably former Jet Andrew Hoole, but were unsuccessful and eventually agreed to a mutual termination of Carney’s contract. Many Newcastle fans are disgruntled at this latest episode at the club and the arrival of City will not help matters.
The boys from Melbourne have been in superb form this season, despite the fact they are coming off a 4-3 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend. That match was one of the best this season and showcased the firepower that City possess. Bruno Fornaroli, Harry Novillo, Aaron Mooy and company almost turned the match around from an impossible position last week and would have to fancy their chances against Newcastle at a ground that has been kind to them in the past.
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Key Battle – Nigel Boogaard vs Bruno Fornaroli
The Newcastle captain is back from suspension this week and it could not come at a better time for the Jets. There can be no doubting that the Jets defence looks stronger and much more difficult to break down when it features the former Weston Bears junior. He wins 90% of his tackles, and has made 46 interceptions, which are superior numbers to all of his defensive team mates.
He will have to be on his game as Fornaroli has been arguably the signing of the season. It is not just his league leading 14 goals that have stood out, but also his work rate and his ability to supply his fellow forwards. He has 3 assists to his name and has created 18 chances for City in what has been one of the best debut campaigns the A-League has seen in its 11-year history. Boogaard will have to keep the shackles on the Uruguayan if the Jets are to stand any chance on Sunday afternoon.
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Team News
As mentioned earlier, Boogaard comes back for the Jets and will slot straight into the heart of the defence. It will leave Lachlan Jackson and Nick Cowburn to fight it out for the left back spot. Steven Ugarkovic and Morten Nordstrand made positive debuts for their new club off the bench last weekend and could possibly be in line for starts on Sunday.
City have been forced into some changes after Erik Paartalu left the club for Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors on deadline day and Adrian Caceres was sent off last weekend. There is also word that Patrick Kisnorbo may be struggling with a knock that may force him out of this weekend’s clash. Such is the depth of City that it won’t cause too many problems, with the likes of Osama Malik and Jacob Melling to be shuffled around to cover. Former Mariners captain Alex Wilkinson was also signed midweek but is unlikely to debut.
Head to Head
Melbourne City has been the dominant force in this fixture in recent times, even though the overall count reads 7 wins each and 3 draws. They have scored 9 goals in their past two trips to Hunter Stadium, courtesy of thumping 5-2 and 4-0 wins.
Previous Meeting
City swept four goals past a helpless Jets side earlier this season at Hunter Stadium, as Aaron Mooy and Bruno Fornaroli scored braces in what was a chastening day for the Novocastrians. The 4-0 result could have been even greater, if not for the exploits of Mark Birighitti who made some breathtaking saves on the day.
Prediction
It is hard to see any other result than an away win in this one. If City can overcome the loss of their midfield duo last week in Paartalu and Caceres, then they should have far too much firepower for a struggling Jets side. The Jets have accrued only 7 out of a possible 39 points since round 4 and it is difficult to see that turning around here after a week that has had the focus firmly on matters off the pitch.
Newcastle Jets 1 Melbourne City 3
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