MATCH DETAILS
Friday, 12 December 2014
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 6:45 PM (Local) (9:45 PM AEDT)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2 Jack CLISBY, 3.Brandon O’NEILL, 5.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH, 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebosja MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA, 15.Jamie MACLAREN, 13.Diogo Alves FERREIRA, 14.Chris HAROLD, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18.Jack DUNCAN, 19.Joshua RISDON, 20.Daniel DE SILVA, 21.Scott JAMIESON, 23.Michael THWAITE (c)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Jack CLISBY (promoted), 3.Brandon O’NEIL (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 7.Youssouf HERSI (hamstring – season)
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 4.Kew JALIENS (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Adrian MADASCHI, 7.Jeronimo NEUMANN, 8.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 11.Andrew HOOLE, 12.Sam GALLAGHER, 13.Edson MONTANO, 16.Jacob PEPPER, 19.Mitch COOPER, 20.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 21.Sam GALLAWAY, 23.David CARNEY
Ins: 21.Sam GALLAWAY (promoted)
Outs: 14.Billy CELESKI (groin – 3-4 weeks)
Unavailable: 3.Taylor REGAN (ankle – 1-2 weeks) 10.Marcos FLORES (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 15.Josh BARRESI (knee – season), 22.Jonny STEELE (leave of absence)
Hashtag: #PERvNEW
Broadcast coverage
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 9.45pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 720 ABC Perth, ABC Local Radio Western Australia, 1233 ABC Newcastle, Grandstand Digital, Online/ABC Radio Mobile phone app
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Tim Mihevc
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
BLUFFER'S GUIDE
You'd have to be a brave punter or the most optimistic of Newcastle Jets fans to back Phil Stubbins' side at nib Stadium this weekend. The team from the Hunter region are yet to win in 2014-15 and haven't beaten Perth Glory away from home since November 2005.
They were on course to finally do so on each of their last two trips out west, leading 1-0 only to concede twice late on and suffer 2-1 defeats on both occasions.
If that hoodoo and their own poor form wasn't enough, the Jets face a Perth Glory side flying high at the top of the A-League table, having lost just once in 2014-15. They made a serious demonstration of their championship credentials by coming from behind to defeat fellow contenders Sydney FC 2-1 away from home last Thursday.
An extra day of rest will have been most welcome for Kenny Lowe's men following a two-week swing in the eastern states, and they will more than fancy their chances of notching up another three points in front of their own fans in what is a Friday night primetime slot for local audiences.
OPTA DATA STATS
- Newcastle Jets have yet to win this season (D4, L5), their worst ever start to an A-League campaign after nine games.
- The Jets have also conceded in every game so far and have only scored more than one goal in a game on one occasion.
- Glory are unbeaten in nine games against the Jets, winning seven of those, including the last three.
ROUTE TO GOAL
Star import Andy Keogh is Glory's chief threat with six goals in nine games, but he's received plenty of help, Jamie Maclaren notching three times (two of those coming in the 2-1 comeback win over the Jets last month), while powerful centre-back Dino Djulbic has two, including a thumping volley away to Brisbane Roar in Round 8.
Nebojsa Marinkovic pulls the strings for the Glory in midfield, with the likes of Mitch Nichols, Richard Garcia and Daniel De Silva supplying Keogh with ammunition.
For the visitors, powerful centre-forward Edson Montano has shown promise, while David Carney is proving a useful attacking weapon from wide positions. With Marcos Flores out this week, Jeronimo Neumann and Joel Griffiths need to chip in and help the Jets mount a consistent threat, or they will be making the long trip home empty handed.
WHO'S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
The Jets themselves have been under the microscope in the week leading up to this one, with Scottish Premiership side Dundee United mooted as surprise buyers for the club, which has been put up for sale by owner Nathan Tinkler.
The club have given no indication if there is any substance to the rumours, but continuing uncertainty and speculation over off-field issues can't be doing their underperforming playing and coaching group any favours.
The Glory meanwhile have lost winger Youssouf Hersi to a season-ending hamstring injury, presenting a test to the strength-in-depth of the would-be title contenders.
Wishing our @PerthGloryFC star Youssouf Hersi a fast, full and complete recovery after his surgery today. pic.twitter.com/44EXGLkduR
— Jason Brewer (@PGFC_CEO) December 10, 2014
FORM LINES
Perth Glory have lost just once in 2014-15, going down 2-0 away to Adelaide United in October. Since then they have won five of six matches in the league, only dropping points in a 1-1 draw away to Brisbane Roar.
The Jets have drawn three of their last five and lost the other two, leading in three of those games without managing to hold out and record that much-needed victory. Last time out they gave up a 1-0 advantage to go down 3-1 at home to Wellington Phoenix.
DID YOU KNOW?
No team has had fewer shots (60) or shots on target (25) this season than Newcastle.
PREDICTION
Result: Perth Glory 2-0 Newcastle Jets
Their forward line might not be quite as free-flowing as leading scorers Melbourne Victory, but Glory have more than enough firepower in their arsenal to dispatch the leaky Jets this weekend.
Perhaps the only hope for Newcastle is the fact Perth have the worst defence of the league's top four sides, having conceded 10 goals, compared to seven apiece for Adelaide United and Sydney FC and eight for Melbourne Victory.
But even if they do breach the Glory backline, can Newcastle avoid shooting themselves in the foot at the other end? We're doubtful, so it's a home win getting the nod from us.