Let's hope this midweek clash can provide more joy for the two clubs involved than they are currently experiencing off-field.
Gold Coast have copped plenty of criticism in the past few days after a paltry crowd turned up for their 0-0 draw with Central Coast Mariners on Sunday with some sections of the media speculating that the club is set to fall over whilst Newcastle enjoyed a 2-0 home win over Perth Glory but cannot escape the financial situation suffocating them.
Form wise, it is a tough contest from which to select a winner with United failing to concede a goal in their past two whilst the Jets have mixed their form with a win, a draw and a loss in their last three.
Miron Bleiberg's charges were very unlucky not to take all three points against the Mariners as they dominated proceedings and I feel they are good enough to get one or two past the Jets who have struggled on the road so far.
Verdict: Gold Coast 1-0
Gold Coast United vs. Newcastle JetsVenue: Skilled Park, Robina Date: Wednesday 22 September 2010 Local kick-off 7:30pm Referee: Peter Green
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD and Sky Sport 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is1233 ABC Newcastle. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Gold Coast United squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 5.ROBSON, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 16.Kristian REES, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.John CURTIS, 25.Chris BROADFOOT *one to be omitted* In: Steve FITZSIMMONS (promoted), Bas VAN DEN BRINK (promoted), Chris BROADFOOT (promoted) Out: ANDERSON (not selected), Golgol MEBRAHTU (not selected) Unavailable: Daniel Piorkowski (ankle injury - 4 weeks), Matt Osman (knee injury - indefinite), Joel Porter (hamstring injury - 1 week)
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 3. Adam D'APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7. Kasey WEHRMAN, 8. Michael BRIDGES (c) 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 9. Zhang SHUO, 15. Sean ROONEY, 19. Ali ABBAS, 21. Brodie MOOY, 14. Labinot HALITI, 40. Matthew NASH (gk), 17. Marcello FIORENTINI In: 17.Marcello FIORENTINI (promoted), 21. Brodie MOOY (promoted) Out: Tarek ELRICH (Corked thigh - 1 week), Jeremy BROCKIE (Groin - 1 week) Unavailable:Marko JESIC (international duty), Jobe WHEELHOUSE (Hamstring / knee), Neil YOUNG (Illness), Taylor REGAN (not available), Sasho PETROVSKI (not available), Kaz PATAFTA (not available)
