Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Saturday, December 20 – McDonald Jones Stadium – 5:00pm AEDT
How to Watch: Live streaming on SPOTV NOW
Current Standings
- Newcastle Jets: 8th
- Sydney FC: 1st
Round 8 Results
- Newcastle Jets: 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix (A)
- Sydney FC: 1-0 win over Perth Glory (A)
Newcastle Jets have been one of the most entertaining sides in the A-League this season—if not the most unpredictable. They boast the second-highest goal tally, the most goals conceded, and a knack for turning every match into a rollercoaster.
They’ve taken three points from trips to Auckland and Wellington, suffered narrow defeats to Perth Glory and Melbourne City, thrashed Melbourne Victory, and endured heavy losses to Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC. In short, every Jets game feels like a coin toss.
Last weekend, the coin landed in their favor. Three goals in seven blistering minutes early in the second half sealed a 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix.
Sydney FC, by contrast, have been ruthlessly efficient. Clinical in attack, disciplined in defense, and comfortable at the summit after eight rounds, the Sky Blues look every bit the title contenders.
Even without injured star Joe Lolley, Sydney found a hero in Round 8. Young winger Abel Walatee stepped up, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Perth Glory. He’s expected to start again this weekend.
When these sides met in Round 3, Sydney ran riot. Newcastle struck first through Ben Gibson, but an Al-Hassan Toure hat-trick and a Pat Wood strike powered the visitors to a 4-1 victory.
Despite sitting top of the table, Sydney boss Ufuk Talay isn’t taking the Jets lightly. “There’s always a target on your back when you’re sitting where you’re sitting,” Talay said.
“But our focus is on what we do. We’re playing against a very good footballing team.”
