FTS A-League Round 3 Preview: Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
This Sunday afternoon the Phoenix will host the Newcastle Jets at Westpac Stadium where they’ll hope to build on the performance of last week against the Mariners.
The New Zealand based team came back from 1-0 down to collect their first victory of the season. It marked the first time in the club’s history that they have managed to win their first away game of the season which must be a great feeling for a team that traditionally struggles on the road. The win moved the Nix into 5th position on the ladder, just inside the all important top 6.
Newcastle cross the Tasman having started the new season with a loss to Central Coast and a draw with Melbourne City. This match will be the third game in a row on the road for the Jets, who won’t play at Hunter Stadium until round 5 due to the ground being resurfaced. Unfortunately for the Jets Wellington hasn’t been a favourable destination for them having won only 2 from 12 at Westpac Stadium.
These two teams did meet during the preseason with Newcastle coming out on top 2-1.
Head to head:
Played 22. Wellington 13, Newcastle 6, Draws 3.
Last meeting: 13 September, 2014 (Wanderers Oval). Newcastle 2-1 Wellington.
Wellington Phoenix (Probable):
Moss; Muscat, Durante, Sigmund, Doyle; Bonevacia, Riera, Rodriguez; Burns, Brockie. McGlinchey.
Newcastle Jets (Probable):
Birighitti; Neville, Jaliens, Gallagher, Carney; Regan, Pepper, Virgili, Griffiths, Steele; Montaño.
Absentees:
Wellington Phoenix: Nil.
Newcastle Jets: Adrian Madaschi (Calf), Billy Celeski (Groin), Josh Barresi (Knee), Mitch Cooper (Knee).
Eyes on:
Jeremy Brockie
Two seasons ago Jeremy Brockie finished second in the A-League golden boot rankings with 16 goals to his name. Skip forward to this season and the Christchurch born striker is nowhere near the level of form that saw him as one of the most dangerous frontmen in the league. With players like Roy Krishna and Tyler Boyd pushing hard for a starting spot up front, Brockie needs to get back to his best or risk starting the match from the comfort a Bunnings chair.
Prediction:
Wellington 2-0 Newcastle
Going on last week’s form, it’s hard to tip against the Phoenix to win this match. Newcastle have historically struggled in Wellington and this week should see the Phoenix grab win number one at their home ground for the season.
FTS fact:
The 3 matches between these two sides last season were split evenly with each team getting a win, a loss and a draw.
The Jets win against the Nix last season produced a scoreline of 5-0, the third time the Nix lost by that exact margin in season 2013/14.
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