The Newcastle Jets return home this weekend to host Adelaide United on Saturday night at McDonald Jones Stadium, kicking off at 7:45 pm.
Newcastle will be looking to get a win against the reds, which could see them jump into the top six. They are currently sitting in seventh place, three points behind the sixth-place team.
The Jets previous match saw a close 2-1 loss to Wellington in New Zealand, with Manabu Saitō scoring his first goal in Jets colours.
Adelaide is currently sitting in third place on 31 points, with eight wins, seven draws, and four losses in their 19 games played.
United’s previous game saw them beat league leaders Melbourne City 4-2, to give them just their third loss of the season.
The last time the Jets faced off against Adelaide saw Newcastle take the three points home with a 1-0 win in hot conditions. Jaushua Sotirio found the back of the net in the 25th minute to take the lead for his side.
The previous six matches between the two sides have resulted in Adelaide winning five, and the Jets with one win.
It is an important match for both sides who will hope to secure a spot in the top six. With just seven games left of the season for the Jets, they have 21 points up for grabs as they push for the three points this weekend.
Adelaide’s young gun Nestory Irankunda will be a player to watch this weekend. The 17-year-old has scored three goals in his 12 games played, also taking two assists to his name.
With Manabu Saitō scoring on his starting debut last week, he will be hoping to secure a spot in the starting side once again and produce a similar quality performance this Saturday.
Socceroos representative Craig Goodwin has scored eight goals and has six assists for United this season and has proven to be difficult for defenders to stop.
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 (co-captain), 7. Trent BUHAGIAR, 8. Beka DARTSMELIA, 9. Beka MIKELTADZE, 11. Jaushua SOTIRIO, 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: 9. Beka Mikeltadze, 17. Callum Timmins.
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 26. Archie Goodwin, 10. Reno Piscopo, 30. Noah James
Adelaide United squad: 1.James DELIANOV (gk), 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Nick ANSELL, 6.Louis D’ARRIGO, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10.Zach CLOUGH, 11.Craig GOODWIN (c), 13.Lachlan BARR, 18.Jay BARNETT, 21.Javi LÓPEZ, 23.Luke DUZEL, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 35.Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 41.Alexandar POPOVIĆ, 46.Joe GAUCI (gk), 49.Musa TOURE, 55.Ethan ALAGICH, 66.Nestory IRANKUNDA
Ins: 4.Nick ANSELL (promoted), 23.Luke DUZEL (promoted), 49.Musa TOURE (promoted)
Outs: 47.Asad KASUMOVIĆ
Unavailable: 2.Harry VAN DER SAAG (knee), 14.George BLACKWOOD (knee), 27.Josh CAVALLO (Achilles), 28.JUANDE (leg), 31.BERNARDO (international duty), 36.Panashe MADANHA (international duty), 37.Jonny YULL (International duty), 50.Steven HALL (hand)
Newcastle’s defence will have a task at hand to control Adelaide’s clinical attack who have scored 35 goals in total so far.
Jets fans can attend Saturday’s match at McDonald Jones Stadium when gates open at 6:45 pm, tickets can be purchased here. The match will also be live-streamed on Paramount+ and available to watch on 10Bold.
