The reborn Newcastle Jets welcome the revitalised Wellington Phoenix to Hunter Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
What a difference a few weeks can make in football. A month ago the Jets were hammered at home 6-1 by Perth Glory and one could be excused for thinking the dark old days of last season were upon the club again. Since then, an improved performance against Adelaide United and four points out of a possible six against contenders Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar have the Hunter faithful believing in their men again.
Newcastle has a new found attacking edge that has culminated in the side vastly improving their game. They are still a difficult nut to crack and tough to break down, but they now offer a consistent threat in the front third.
The Jets will need to be at their best on the weekend as the Nix come to town after what has to be their finest result of the season. The 5-2 thrashing of Western Sydney featured a four goal haul from young striker Blake Powell, who would have enjoyed the match even more due to his former Sydney FC allegiances.
Ernie Merrick’s men will be full of confidence and looking to overtake the Jets on the ladder as both teams cling to their slim finals chances.
Key Battle – Leonardo vs Michael McGlinchey
Both sets of strikers are in great form at the minute so the key to this one will be which creative man supplies his front men with the best quality and quantity of service.
Leonardo struggled throughout the first half of the season for the Jets as a niggling and ever-present knee issue seemed to hold back the Brazilian. He seems to be over the problem now and as a result his performances have improved markedly.
His ability to play a penetrating ball forward early has been a major catalyst for the Jets on the break which has led to the improved displays of recent weeks.
McGlinchey has been one of Wellington’s finest ever since he left the Mariners for the shaky isles. He is equal second in the league for chances created with 46 and is the man responsible for setting the Phoenix alight.
Team News
Newcastle is a bit short in midfield this week due to the suspensions of both Ben Kantarovski and Mateo Poljak. It is highly likely that the promoted Cameron Watson will get another chance alongside new January arrival Steven Ugarkovic in the Jets engine room.
The only other issue for Scott Miller will be whether he decides to throw in his Danish front man Morten Nordstrand from the off, or save him for an impact role off the bench. The former Denmark international has been vocal in the media this week pushing for a starting spot, so it will be interesting to see what Miller decides to do.
Newcastle Jets (4-2-3-1): Birighitti; Hoffman, Boogaard, Mullen, Cowburn; Watson, Ugarkovic; Alivodic, Leonardo, Nordstrand; Trifunovic
Wellington welcome back their inspirational Kiwi defender Ben Sigmund from injury and it looks as if he will slot straight back into the line-up to resume his usual partnership with skipper Andrew Durante. It would be a surprise if there were any other changes for Wellington after their superb performance last weekend.
Expected Line-ups
Wellington Phoenix (4-3-3): Moss; Muscat, Sigmund, Durante, Doyle; Riera, Bonevacia, Ridenton; McGlinchey, Watson, Powell
Head-to-head
Wellington have had the better of this fixture over the years with the ledger in their favour 15 wins to the Jets eight, with the teams playing out four draws. The Jets have turned the tide this season though and are going for a clean sweep over the Phoenix.
Previous Meeting
Newcastle broke their scoring drought back in mid-January with a 3-1 victory over Wellington. Milos Trifunovic, Ryan Kitto and the now departed David Carney scored for the home side, with the late consolation goal coming from Matthew Ridenton for the Nix.
Prediction
It should be an entertaining affair in Newcastle, with both teams looking to hit the other on transition at every opportunity. Newcastle look a team completely reinvigorated and will fancy their chances of putting away the Nix on their own turf. This week will tell us whether the Phoenix are truly back in form after last week, or if it was just a flash in the pan against the Wanderers. Newcastle have been in better form over the past few weeks so I slightly favour them in what should be a cracking match at Hunter Stadium.
Newcastle Jets 2-1 Wellington Phoenix
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