The back-to-back Hyundai A-League premiers, Sydney FC, are back in Newcastle this Saturday evening.
Last time they came, it was the second-place Jets who triumphed. A Dimi Petratos penalty and Andrew Nabbout screamer secured us the three points in a famous win on home soil.
W-LEAGUE: Changes in the Westfield Matildas squad
In search of a maiden win of the season, expect a fired-up and red-hot Jets side that will fight all the way for those three points.
Here are five things to watch this weekend.
Chances, chances, chances
We went the 90 minutes without a goal last weekend, but what was clear to Jets fans was just how dangerous the team looked in the final third.
Ronnie Vargas was at his dominating best, Dimi Petratos was threatening, and Jair is showing more and more just how good he’ll be at full fitness.
9 – @NewcastleJetsFC's @ronaldvargas10 created nine scoring chances in Round 3 – the most of any player in a single @ALeague game since 2013 (Broich; 10 vs Perth). Designer. pic.twitter.com/s92GzSdnTl
— OptaJason (@OptaJason) November 5, 2018
If the chances continue to flow, goals will soon follow. If the Jets can replicate a performance similar to the first half hour of the Round 3 clash with Victory, it will hold Newcastle in good stead.
Mixing it up?
It’s a luxury which Jets fans often haven’t had for a number of years: a consistent starting XI.
The same side has taken to the pitch for the opening three Hyundai A-League matches this season, but could things be mixed up this weekend?
Ben Kantarovski earned praise from boss, Ernie Merrick after his cameo off the bench last weekend, and Angus Thurgate is back after a series of solid performances with the Young Socceroos.
Could they be a chance?
Keeping Le Fondre quiet
One man who has been electric for Sydney FC so far this season is English import, Adam Le Fondre.
The striker has scored six goals in his six matches for the Sky Blues so far this season, which means Newcastle will have to keep a close eye on him this weekend.
There are also other threats amongst the Sydney line-up: Alex Brosque and Milos Ninkovic to name but two. The Jets defence will have to be on their game come Saturday.
Closer to full fitness
It’s a quick dash to fitness for Brazillian import Jair, who arrived in the Hunter just under two months ago.
The forward has been working hard towards full fitness, and every week Jets fans are seeing more and more of what he has to offer as his fitness improves.
The intelligent runs and tricky footwork from Jair were on full display last weekend, and the Brazillian continues to get himself into good positions. A debut Hyundai A-League goal isn’t far away.
Back-to-back in Newy
It’s a second consecutive Saturday night match at McDonald Jones Stadium for the Jets, a timeslot that fans have been craving for years.
The primetime slot is one which has eluded the Club in previous seasons, but the Newcastle faithful proved it’s one they enjoy with the 11,813-strong crowd last weekend.
With the membership numbers slowly but surely ticking towards the target of 11,300, it’s hoped that Newcastle again turns out in big numbers and gets behind the boys for what will be a huge early season clash.
