Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

We return down under as Matthew O’Regan delivers his Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets prediction, team news, standings and lineups preview. The A-League season is over half-way complete, so teams are starting to shape up and show signs of where they will finish.

Seven points and five positions separate the sides heading into Sunday’s encounter. WSW can go 10 points clear of Jets (with a game in hand) if they win, making it an uphill battle for the New South Wales side to qualify for the playoffs.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Prediction, Team News, Standings and Lineups Preview

1. Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 1: Antonio Marcelo 2+ Shots
2. Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 2: Western Sydney -1 Asian Handicap
3. Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 3: Lachlan Brook to Score Anytime

In this article:

• Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Team News and Possible Lineups
• Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Match Stats
• How to watch Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets
• Safer Gambling

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 1: Aerial Dominance for WSW

Australia, A-League, Sunday February 11th 06:00 (UK)

36-year-old Marcelo has firmly become a fan favourite for the WSW faithful despite only joining the club in July 2022. The Brazilian is passionate and wears his heart on his sleeve, often finding himself in the referee’s book.

His dominant defensive performances, as well as his aerial prowess, have made him a threat in both boxes, so much so that he has averaged 1.75 shots per 90 already this season.
With WSW averaging 6.75 corners per home game, Marcelo is often involved in attacking set pieces. He is also not afraid to shoot from a distance, as shown by his two shots from 30+ yards in the 3-1 home victory over Macarthur.

Newcastle Jets are the visitors on Sunday, with Robert Stanton’s team having just conceded to Melbourne Victory centre-back Roderick Miranda, who recorded three shots. The Jets are conceding 5.11 corners per away game and roughly 0.5 xGa from set pieces when playing away from home.

In the reverse fixture, Marcelo had two headers, with one of these going on target.

Marcelo also boasts more experience than Newcastle centre-backs Nathan Grimaldi (22) and Mark Natta (21), as well as more height, so he will fancy his chances of bullying his counterparts in the air.

With the visitors conceding an average of 1.55 shots per game to centre-backs and Marcelo averaging 1.75 shots per game, I see value in his shot prices.

• Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 1: Antonio Marcelo over 1.5 Shots
• Best Odds: 2.37
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 2: WSW strong favourites

Western Sydney Wanderers currently sit fifth, just six points off leaders Wellington Phoenix with a game in hand. Mark Rudan will see the visit of tenth-place Newcastle Jets as the perfect opportunity to move up the table.

Wanderers come into this game having just lost 4-3 away to Macarthur in a thrilling affair that was settled in the 93rd minute. At CommBank stadium, WSW have won four, drawn one, and lost three of their eight games, only conceding eight goals in the process.

In terms of xG, WSW ranks fourth in the league in this metric, averaging 1.91 per game. On the other hand, Newcastle Jets only see an average of 1 xG per game, conceding 2.02 xGa per game- the second most in the league.

The Jets have struggled on the road, losing five of their nine away games, conceding 21 in the process. Their last three away games have ended in 4-0 and 3-2 losses, so don’t be surprised if Western Sydney runs riot.

• Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 2: Western Sydney Wanderers -1 Asian Handicap
• Best Odds: 2.050
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 3: Brook to Break Down Jets

Despite scoring 25 goals this season, WSW’s top scorer(s), Marcus Antonsson and Lachlan Brook, have only scored five each, showing the side shares the goals around.

22-year-old Brook has only started eight goals, so he has made a significant impact in his limited game time.

In the 4-3 loss to Macarthur, Brook scored a brace, accumulating 0.77 xG from five shots, with four of these on target.

Brook was the match-winner the previous game, with his 35th-minute goal the only goal in a 1-0 win at Western United. Brook recorded two shots this game.

He has shown a key eye for goal, averaging 4.32 shots per 90, with 2.02 of these on target.

Brook is a man in good form and will look to continue his goal-scoring antics against the third leakiest defence in the league.

• Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Tip 3: Lachlan Brook to Score
• Best Odds: 2.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Predictions odds via bet365 as at 23:59 February 5th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets Team News and Possible Lineups: Near-Full strength for both

Both sides are blessed to have a near-full-strength team for this affair, with only veteran Carl Jenkinson missing for the visitors.

The hosts are without the experienced Joshua Brillante and the exciting Brandon Borello through injury. However, they are boosted by the return of goalkeeper Laurence Thomas after his Asian Cup exploits with Australia. Centre-back Tom Beadling is suspended after his red card last time out.

Western Sydney Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Thomas; Russell, Marcelo, Bonetig, Clisby; Milanovic, Hendrix, Priestman, Brook; Antonsson, Badolato

Newcastle Jets possible starting lineup:
Scott; Ingham, Grimaldi, Natta, Mauragis; Aquilina, Grozos, O’Neill, Taylor; Buhagiar, Stamatelopoulous

Match Stats: Jets chasing first win in four meetings

• Jets have only won one of the last nine meetings.
• The last five meetings have seen an average of 5.6 cards per game.
• WSW have the worst attacking record in the top 8.
• Jets away games average 3.75 goals per game.

How To Watch

• WSW vs Newcastle Jets, League.
• Date and Time: Monday, January 1st, 20:00 (UK)
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): Sky Sports Main Event

SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.