The Newcastle Jets return home this Saturday to take on Western United at McDonald Jones Stadium, kicking off at 5 pm.
The Jets have gone six games unbeaten and will look to take it to seven in this weekend’s clash, to continue their undefeated run.
Their previous match resulted in a 1-0 win over Macarthur FC in horrific weather conditions which forced a two-hour match delay. Trent Buhagiar scored in the eighth minute of the game to take the lead early on.
The Jets are sitting at seventh on the ladder on 24 points, currently tied with Sydney FC and Wellington, they are one point away from the top four.
Western United’s previous match saw them go down 0-3 to Wellington. They are currently last on the ladder on 16 points, with four wins, four draws, and nine losses to their name.
The previous match between the two sides resulted in a 1-1 draw, with Daniel Stynes scoring a contender for goal of the year. Western United also went down to ten men with Jacob Tratt receiving a red card in the match.
Within the previous six matches between the teams, United have won four, with two resulting in a draw.
The Jets will be hoping to get a win this weekend and take the crucial three points which could see them jump up into fourth place on the ladder.
United’s striker Aleksandar Prijović is sitting on four goals in ten matches and will be looking to extend his run against the Jets this weekend.
Newcastle’s back line has been strong and will continue to be a force against United’s attack this Saturday.
Ins and Outs:
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 2. Dane INGHAM, 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Manabu SAITO 5. Matthew JURMAN (co-captain), 6. Brandon O’NEILL, 7. Trent BUHGIAR, 8. Beka DARTSMELIA, 9. Beka MIKELTADZE, 11. Jaushua SOTIRO, 14. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 17. Kosta GROZOS, 18. Daniel STYNES, 19. Callum TIMMINS, 20. Michael WEIER (gk), 22. Philip CANCAR, 25. Carl JENKINSON (co-captain), 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Mark NATTA. 39. Thomas AQUILINA
Ins: 6. Brandon O’NEILL
Outs: 10. Reno PISCOPO, 30. Noah JAMES
Unavailable: 26. Archie GOODWIN
Western United squad: 1. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 4. Leo LACROIX, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Tongo DOUMBIA, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI (c), 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 27. Jacob TRATT, 31. Adisu BAYEW, 37. Ryan SCOTT (gk) 38. Noah BOTIC, 88. Neil KILKENNY, 99. Aleksandar PRIJOVIC
Ins: 17. Ben GARUCCIO (returns from injury), 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI
Outs: 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI (international duty)
Unavailable: 10. Steven LUSTICA (injured), 20. Ramy NAJJARINE (injured), 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (injured)
A key matchup this weekend is through United’s centre-back Léo Lacroix and the Jets’ Trent Buhagiar who has been in goal-scoring form this season and will look to add another to his name.
Jets fans wishing to attend the game can purchase tickets here. Gates will open at 4 pm, for a 5 pm kick-off, the match will also be streamed live via Paramount+.
By Daniella Flamiatos
