A-League – Match Preview – Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets

A-League – Match Preview – Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets [VIDEO]

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Sydney FC face an inconsistent Newcastle Jets side this week at their second and far larger home, ANZ Stadium, as they look to close the gap on frontrunners Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers. 

Sydney come into this match off the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw against third placed Melbourne City, with Arnold’s side passing up the opportunity to jump their close rivals. However, Sky Blue fans will be reinvigorated having seen their side score six times in the last two matches, putting doubts to rest after a relatively barren start to the season.

For Newcastle and Scott Miller it is all about realising the same form that saw them start the season so positively. A steep decline in performance levels have left the Hunter-based side languishing in eighth position, just five points from the foot of the table.  The Jets were unfortunate not to grab a point in their most recent outing. A strong showing against Champions, Melbourne Victory may have boosted morale despite the 1-0 defeat.

Key battle – Milos Ninkovic vs. Mateo Poljak

The Sydney FC faithful held its breath when club-captain Alex Brosque reached for his hamstring after a stellar performance against the Central Coast Mariners a fortnight ago. However, Brosque’s absence has paved the way for Milos Ninkovic to show his brilliant best. The Serbian international has been left to create from wide areas for much of the season with Brosque most influential from a central area. But against Melbourne City, Ninkovic proved his quality as an out-and-out attacking midfielder scoring twice to ensure Sydney gain a deserved point.

Shutting down Sydney’s Serbian maestro provides Miller with a tricky tactical decision. Often operating with two holding midfielders, Miller may opt to stagnate his midfield pairing in order to deprive Ninkovic of the precious space he so thrives upon between the back four and midfield. If he does so, expect former Wanderer, Mateo Poljak to be the man tasked with closing the space for the Serb to work in. A tough tackler, Poljak will need to be disciplined against a fleet-footed Ninkovic who has the quality to breakdown the Jets defence.

Team News

Sydney welcome back Ali Abbas from a long-term knee injury that has seen him sidelined for almost six months with Graham Arnold confirming that Abbas will be a part of the matchday squad. To add to that, Matt Simon returns from suspension with squad player Robert Stambolziev also likely to take part. Brosque’s injury aside, Arnold loses three of his younger talents to Olyroo duty with Andrew Hoole, Brandon O’Neill and Alex Gersbach all heading into camp.

Sydney FC Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Janjetovic; Ryall, Jurman, Faty, Grant; Tavares, Dimitrijevic; Holosko, Ninkovic, Naumoff; Smeltz.

Meanwhile, Miller has a full squad to select from. David Carney returns from suspension and is likely to take his place out wide with Brazilian midfielder Leonardo also returning from injury. Whether he will start the match, remains to be seen.

Newcastle Jets Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Birighitti; Hoffman, Kantarovski, Boogard, Mullen; Poljak, Watson; Alivodic, Leonardo, Carney; Trifunovic.

Head-to-head

Meeting on 35 occassions, Sydney FC have dominated previous proceedings winning 21 times and losing just six times. The spoils have been shared on just eight occassions.

Previous Meeting

Their most recent encounter came just over a month ago when Sydney scraped through 1-0 winners. Alex Brosque was once more Sydney’s hero that day. His 56th minute winner granting the Sky Blues a necessary three points in what was a turbulent period for last year’s finalists.

Prediction

Scoring six goals in the past two matches is just about as prolific as Sydney have been all year and points to an exciting end to the season for their fans. Meanwhile, the Jets have found the middle third of the season particularly challenging and look to be low on confidence. Expect Sydney to triumph at home in this one.

Sydney FC 3 Newcastle Jets 1

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