The Isuzu UTE A-League returns this weekend with defending champions Melbourne City hosting Newcastle Jets on Friday night.
Venue: AAMI Park (Melbourne)
Key Statistics
Melbourne City are winless in their last four home games in all competitions (D2, L2).
The hosts have scored 23 goals in 12 league games this season. That tally is the highest goal tally in the league so far.
The 18 goals they have conceded is also the highest in the league this season.
Newcastle Jets have won one of their last five away games in all competitions (D2, L2).
They have kept one clean sheet in their last 12 games in all competitions.
Head to head
Melbourne City have won six of their last ten meetings with Newcastle Jets (W4).
Latest performances in all competitions
Melbourne City: L-W-W-L-W
Newcastle Jets: W-L-W-L-L
Melbourne City
Melbourne City will look to get back to winning ways this Friday when they welcome Newcastle Jets to AAMI Stadium.
The hosts tasted defeat for the fourth time this season last time out as they were defeated by Adelaide United at home.
Despite taking the lead through Jamie Maclaren, Adelaide United bounced back to win the game 2-1 courtesy of goals from Javi Lopez and Mohamed Toure.
The loss ended a two game-winning run for Patrick Kisnorbo’s side following wins over WS Wanderers (3-1) and Newcastle Jets (4-2).
So this will be the second time both teams will meet in the ten days and should afford City the chance to do a league double over their rivals.
A win in this game will take them to the top of the table, two points above Western United who do not play till later in the week.
Possible Melbourne City starting line-up
Tom Glover; Scott Galloway, Rostyn Griffiths, Curtis Good, Scott Jamieson; Aiden O’Neill, Connor Metcalfe, Florin Berenguer; Mathew Leckie, Andrew Nabbout, Jamie Maclaren.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets will look to make it two wins in two games when they travel to Melbourne on Friday.
The visitors come into this tie on the back of a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory and will be desperate to win the second game in a row on their second consecutive visit to Melbourne.
With eleven points from nine games, Newcastle Jets are currently sitting in ninth place. They are four points off the playoff position but have more advantage than the teams currently in the top six given that they have at least two games in hand.
A win in this game will keep their chances of breaking into the top six anytime soon alive.
Possible Newcastle Jets starting line-up
Matt Acton; Aisen Ishak, Leigh Broxham, Edmond Lupancu, Stefan Nigro; Joshua Brillante, Jay Barnett; Robbie Kruse, Jake Brimmer, Lleyton Brooks; Francesco Margiotta.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Matthew Spiranovic, Roderick Miranda
Suspended: None
Prediction
Melbourne City 2-0 Newcastle Jets
