The F3 derby always provides a bit of feeling and tonight should be no different when the Jets host the Mariners.
Branko Culina has seen Newcastle get their season back on track with two wins and a draw in their past three outings and things are looking much better now than what they were two-and-a-half weeks ago.
Midfielder Ruben Zadkovich and key defender Ljubo Milicevic both return from suspension which will give the Jets a boost as they take on a Central Coast outfit who have been in solid form in recent weeks, despite their 3-2 loss to Gold Coast on Sunday.
Prior to that, Graham Arnold had his side firing, scoring goals at will and staking their claim as a genuine title threat but they got a bit sloppy on the weekend and were made to pay.
This is a fixture that they will always get themselves up for but with the Jets on top of the world with the impending visit of David Beckham and LA Galaxy, I can see the Newcastle side getting the job done and pushing into the top six.
Verdict: 2-1 Jets
Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast MarinersDate: Wednesday, 24 November 2010 Venue: EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle Local kick-off: 7:00pm Referee: Matthew Breeze Match fact:Newcastle Jets are aiming to continue on from a three match undefeated streak at home while Central Coast Mariners are looking to continue a three match undefeated streak away from home.
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sport 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC Newcastle and 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.proticket.com.au
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D'APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI 7. Kasey WEHRMAN, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 19. Ali ABASS, 22.Kaz PATAFTA, 24. Francis JEFFERS, 40. Matthew NASH *three to be omitted* In: Ruben ZADKOVICH (returns from suspension), Ljubo MILICEVIC (returns from suspension) Out:, Zhang SHUO (omitted), Sean ROONEY (injury - unknown) Unavailable: Neil YOUNG (illness - indefinite), Michael Bridges (Knee - six weeks), Brodie MOOY (Shin Splints - indefinite), Jeremy BROCKIE (Broken foot - 6 to 8 weeks)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 2 Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 9. Nik MRDJA, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk) *two to be omitted* In: Trent SAINSBURY (promoted), Nik MRDJA (returns from injury) Out: Nil Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee - 10 weeks), Patricio PEREZ (hip - indefinite), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)
