It’s a quick turnaround for our Jets as we head to Brisbane to meet the Roar on Sunday afternoon after playing in Perth just four days earlier.
During the week, we managed to hold our third consecutive clean sheet in a nil-all draw against the Glory, after coming off the back of two back-to-back victories.
Brisbane are currently part of the league-wide finals race but are at risk of dropping out if they fail to secure points in their upcoming games.
Our team currently sits in ninth spot, but are just three points outside of the top six, while Brisbane are eight points out and in desperate need of picking up victories making this game a crucial one for both.
Here’s the full breakdown of Sunday afternoon’s clash:
BRISBANE ROAR V NEWCASTLE JETS
Date: Sunday 3rd April 2022
Kick-off: 4:05pm
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium
How to Watch: Paramount+
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played: 49
Jets: 20
Draws: 12
Brisbane: 17
FORM IN THE NORTH
Sunday’s fixture will mark our 50th clash with Brisbane, and 23rd playing in Brisbane.
Our track record is good when playing there, having been able to 13 wins when playing there, and only four losses against over the course of our history. The last time our Jets lost in Brisbane was back in early 2016.
In recent years, it’s been a back-and-forth affair though. In our past 10 meetings, our Jets have notched up four wins to Brisbane’s three with two draws also being played.
On top of that, only two games in the past 14 between the two sides have been decided by more than one goal, so fans may be able to expect a tight contest.
DEFENSIVE RESOLVE
If our side manage to keep another clean sheet this Sunday for their fourth in a row, it’ll break the club’s record for most consecutive clean sheets.
It would cap off a major turning point for our team’s defence who once possessed the worst record in the competition, but have since begun to turn that around.
We managed to pull off three consecutive clean sheets last season, but have already managed to score more goals and point than we did that campaign.
Our new formation that has seen our team playing with three in the centre of defence, with two overlapping fullbacks, also looks to have solidified our backline, while still allowing us to attack in force.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jack Duncan (Newcastle Jets)
The goalkeeper has recently returned from injury and has been a rock pulling off two clean sheets in a row.
He made an incredible save to keep the game level in Perth, and also nullified many attacks from Sydney last weekend.
Duncan has been able to make 41 saves this season from his 15 matches, and while our opponents have only scored 21 goals, they still have much firepower up front and may force our keeper into action on multiple occasions.
Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar)
The creative midfielder has been a key player for the Roar this season and has proven to be an engine in the midfield, whether that’s in a holding or attacking role.
The Irishman currently leads his team in assists with seven, averages three key passes a game, and has produced six man of the match performances – the most in the league.
While his passing skills will be threating for our side, O’Shea can also be a menace with the ball at this feet, as he leads his side for successful dribbles, and also won the ball in midfield 64 times.
STATS & FACTS
Both the overall, and recent records between our sides are quite close as while we’ve won three more matches ands scored five more goals than Brisbane over the years, the Roar have won three of our past five encounters.
Expect there to be many a shot at goal on Sunday as both teams lead the league in that area. We currently are averaging 5.3 shots on target a game, while Brisbane lead the competition with 5.6.
When it comes to possession the two sides are almost polar opposites – we currently still sit above the rest of the league with an average of 57%, while Brisbane are ninth with 48%.
Both sides are rather similar defensively too, which only adds to the tightness of this contest. Roar have conceded 30 goals compared to our 28, but also have a 56% tackle success average, to our 57%. On average, Brisbane also typically make one clearance more than us each game.
