Newcastle Jets host the Queensland Roar with both teams having contrasting fortunes at the moment.
Newcastle come into this game without a win in their last seven competitive fixtures, their draw last week at perennial strugglers New Zealand being only their third positive result of the season, the other two quite coincidentally being draws away to New Zealand and at home to Queensland. Newcastle struggled to break down a quite resilient New Zealand defence, with both teams looking quite edgy and eager to get their first points of the season on the board.
Newcastle will still be without new forward Milton, who is still to recieve his visa, and Steve Eagleton, Jade North and Craig Deans are still out injured, Deans for the season. Also joinging them on the treatment table, and adding to Newcastle's injury woes, will be midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse who damaged his ankle ligaments in an innocuous challenge in the game against New Zealand. They'll likely start with the same 5-2-3 formation deployed against NZ, with Shane Webb likely to replace Wheelhouse. They're also yet to sign a replacement for the departed Liam Reddy (now at Queensland), so 19 year old Ben Kennedy is set to continue in goals. He should expect to face a few more shot on his goal against Queensland than he did against New Zealand.
By contrast, Queensland come into their second league match of the season after a hard-fought, but well deserved, 3-0 win over Perth Glory. That was only their second win of the campaign so far, but they are unbeaten in their last six league and cup games, with their last defeat coming in a close encounter with last seasons champions Sydney United.
Queensland are expect to line up with a three pronged attack, much like in the last game, with Lynch, Milicic and Reinaldo leading the line. Their only change is likely to be the inclusion of Queensland striker Ante Milicic who is set to line up against his former club, having left Newcastle for Queensland this summer. Milicic is in form having played a part in two of the goals against Perth and is looking to get a victory against his former club. Another departee, goalkeeper Liam Reddy, is likely to remain on the bench after the recent good form of Tom Willis. Queensland are expected to name almost the same line-up as against Perth, with Milicic, Simon Lynch and Reinaldo leading a three-pronged attack yet again. The only change is likely to be Massimo Merdocca coming in to replace injured midfield playmaker Marcus Wedau.
Queensland coach Miron Bleiberg had this to say about the match: "We will be approaching the game in the same attacking manner but we have to be realistic and see how the game develops. Newcastle are tough opposition and we are away from home so we might have to close the game down a bit earlier. We have become smarter and we play for the points now. We will go for entertainment at home and practicality away from home.”
Well, with Newcastles injury concerns growing with the injury to Jobe Wheelhouse and their inability to trouble a frankly poor New Zealand side in their last match I was going to side with Queensland for the second straight week with the outright win at a generour 2.85. However, having taken into account the statement by the Queensland coach with regards to their priorities, I'm going to play this one a little safe and use the AH(0) available on Queensland at
10Bet, currently priced at 2.06.
Bet: 2 points on
Queensland AH(0) @ 2.06