With Finals Football already secured, Steve Corica’s side will be wanting to maintain momentum as they head into next weekend’s Finals Series.
Before they can get there, they must navigate past a tough Jets side who have been very inconsistent this season.
With Allianz Stadium the venue for this clash which will decide the final table positions, you can expect both teams to come out firing.
Last weekend, Sydney FC played on Monday night in Brisbane and were very strong defensively as they withstood some Roar pressure and managed to hit them where it hurt. Goals to Robert Mak and Adam Le Fondre was the difference on the night, with the Englishman scoring in three consecutive matches since returning from injury.
Prior to that, Sydney swept aside Perth Glory at home and appear to be finding their mid-season form that saw the Sky Blues win three in a row against Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners.
They have also found the net in four consecutive matches and kept their first clean sheet since the 4th of March so it is beginning to click for Steve Corica’s side.
On the other side of the card, Arthur Papas’ team have a very slim chance of making the top six but it would require one of the greatest performances in the Newcastle Jets’ history.
They would have to beat Sydney FC by at least 5 goals and hope that Macarthur beat Wellington Phoenix to secure a spot in the Finals.
All hope appeared lost for the Jets as they failed to pick up a win in six consecutive matches and it was almost seven until Brandon O’Neill unleashed one of the goals of the season at the death against Macarthur to give them hope and three points. Sadly the Novocastrians weren’t able to back it up the week after and were comfortably swept aside by the Mariners in the F3 Derby.
With a big victory required for their finals hopes, you know the Jets will be coming out firing against Sydney FC on Saturday afternoon.
Coming into this clash, both sides will be without some key men. Jack Rodwell picked up a concussion during Monday’s match against Brisbane Roar and will observe the mandatory eight day rest period that comes with knocks of the kind.
For the Jets, they will be without former Sydney FC man Brandon O’Neill who was shown two yellows last week, and Carl Jenkinson who was brandished a straight red card for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity. This will mean a shuffle of the pack for Arthur Papas.
Sydney FC have also hinted at rotating the pack with Finals Football in mind and after Robert Mak limped off on Monday night with a tight hamstring, it could open the door for an Academy product to shine or a returning Diego Caballo to slot into the starting eleven.
It promises to be a riveting afternoon with eyes on the simultaneous fixture between Wellington Phoenix and Macarthur at Campbelltown Stadium.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 26
Saturday 29th April 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 5pm AEST
Gates Open: 4pm AEST
Broadcast Live: Paramount+
Tickets: Click Here
