With our clash against Perth Glory postponed due to COVID cases in the visitors’ camp, our Jets now turn their attention to reigning premiers Melbourne City this Tuesday, in what is the second consecutive midweek fixture at McDonald Jones Stadium in as many weeks.
Fans were given an all too familiar feeling when it was announced our upcoming fixture against Perth Glory was the latest casualty of the COVID affected season, however instead our previously postponed clash with Melbourne City is on for this Tuesday night, in a huge win for football fans across the Hunter.
City has been one of the sides to beat in recent seasons, however the Jets will be confident heading into the clash and our record against them while playing at McDonald Jones Stadium helps that.
Here’s an in-depth look at the upcoming clash we look to build on a gutsy win against Brisbane Roar last week.
NEWCASTLE JETS v MELBOURNE CITY
Date: Tuesday 8th February
Kick-off: 8:05 pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
How to Watch: SECURE YOUR TICKETS
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2010
Played: 34
Jets: 14
Melbourne City: 16
Draw: 4
FORTRESS MCDONALD JONES
Off the back of our resilient victory against Brisbane Roar last week, our Jets will be looking to build into what is a busy month of fixtures for the Club, and they will have the perfect chance to press their claims for a spot towards the top when they face the back-to-back Grand Finalists this week.
Our Jets are now at two wins and two losses at McDonald Jones Stadium this season, but it will be the visitors who will have something to prove as historically City have struggled when travelling to face us. Our team have claimed 10 wins from their last 16 matches against City when at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The clash promises to bring plenty of entertainment for fans as the fixture rarely produces a stalemate. The two sides have only played out four draws across their 34 encounters since 2010.
Our Jets will also be buoyed by a recent strong form line against the visitors, claiming three victories in their last four matches against City.
PACE SETTERS V GO GETTERS
Reigning premiers City have become one of the leagues’ heavy-hitters in recent years, claiming their maiden premiership and championship last season. However, they have had mixed results to start this campaign and currently occupy sixth spot on the ladder with three wins, four draws and two losses.
Although both sides have had fixtures affected by COVID-19, this Tuesday’s clash looks set to bring the heat, with both sides topping the attacking charts so far this season. Each team boasts attacking firepower right across the park, but it’s City’s Jamie Maclaren and Newcastle’s Beqa Mikeltadze who headline as the mouth-watering matchup, as both lead the league for goals scored.
Our Jets are starting to find their feet since returning to regular fixtures after suffering through six weeks of postponements over the Christmas period. With plenty of games in hand, our team will be wanting to string some wins together to build the rhythm and momentum, attain their first consecutive victory this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Angus Thurgate (Newcastle Jets)
The man affectionately known as ‘Gus’ grabbed headlines against Brisbane Roar last week, with his 70th-minute pin-point strike ending up to be the difference in what was his first goal of the 2021/22 campaign.
It was a thunderous reply from the ‘Port Macquarie Pele’, after giving away an unconverted penalty in the first half.
A tireless worker in the midfield who fights for every ball, the 21-year-old has become one of the side’s leaders despite his young age, and has even made over 70 games for the Jets since his debut back in 2018.
Gus has played nearly every minute of his six appearances for the us this season, and also is one of the team’s most accurate passers of the ball averaging over 45 successful passes a game.
Watch for Thurgate to dictate terms in the middle of the field with his strong defence and workrate, and to then look to link up with his attackers. Thurgate has already supplied a thrilling assist for Valentino Yuel in our opening match of the season and will be looking to once again prove a threat going forward.
Andrew Nabbout (Melbourne City)
Jets fans will remember Nabbout from his time with the Jets, with the Socceroo having a 46-game stint with the Club that yielded 18 goals. After leaving us for Japan in 2018 before returning to Australia with Melbourne Victory, Nabbout has now found himself on the flank for Melbourne City.
The 29-year-old has had a strong start to the season for City, bagging four goals in eight matches and sits as the clubs’ second-best goal scorer for the season just behind Jamie Maclaren. Nabbout was away on national duty for City’s loss against Western United last weekend but was a goal scorer in the match before in their 3-1 triumph over the Mariners.
Watch for the 10-time Socceroo to try his luck on goal from any angle. Our defenders will have to be wary of his ability to beat his man with his speed and footwork and his trend of playing provider as he’s already achieved three assists to accompany his four goals this season.
STATS & FACTS
The Jets have won three of their last four matches at home against City, and of the 16 clashes played at McDonald Jones Stadium, the two sides have only drawn once there.
City will be looking to claim just their second away victory of the season when they arrive at McDonald Jones Stadium this Tuesday, but will arrive to find an excited crowd all cheering for a Jets win especially for Jason Hoffman as he brings up Game 250.
Of the five victories our side collected last season, two of them came over the eventual premiers. The latter of the games saw a goal to remember scored by local-product Archie Goodwin which was a stunning effort from outside the box to help us claim a 2-1 victory in the last game of the season.
This match will be the second of six scheduled matches for the Jets this month, and always provides Hunter fans with a home fixture that wasn’t expected until the 23rd of February against Western Sydney Wanderers.
As per our updated fixtures for the month, our Jets will face Melbourne Victory and City once again, with both matches played at AAMI Park next week.
