Preview: Newcastle Jets vs. Brisbane Roar - prediction, team news, lineups

Brisbane Roar square off against Newcastle Jets on Friday knowing that victory will keep them in the hunt for a top-two finish in the A-League standings.

Meanwhile, the home side remain at the bottom of the table after a winless streak which has now lasted 13 matches.

Match preview

Brisbane Roar put together four-match and three-match winning streaks earlier this season, giving the team every chance of challenging for top spot later in 2021.

However, those victories have been undermined by runs without success, such as the one which has lasted since May 9 with just one point coming from three contests.

While each of those fixtures were against teams in the top four, failing to perform during the latest triple-header has left Roar four points adrift of fifth position.

Roar still have the advantage of possessing a game in hand, but they desperately require maximum points on Friday with leaders Melbourne City to come in their next outing.

The club's two top goalscorers - Riku Danzaki and Dylan Wenzel-Halls - have gone three games and seven games respectively without finding the back of the net.

As far as the Jets are concerned, they are eager to turn a number of promising performances into points after a campaign spent at the wrong end of the table.

After holding third-placed Sydney FC to a 1-1 draw, the Jets lost out to Central Coast Mariners by a 1-0 scoreline at the weekend.

Despite taking the positives from both games, head coach Craig Deans knows that pride will only be partially restored if they can finish the season ahead of Melbourne Victory.

Steven Ugarkovic has scored half of the club's goals during the last six fixtures, but the midfielder has since moved to Western Sydney Wanderers.

Team News

Moon will consider making changes to his Roar starting lineup after their improved second-half showing at Adelaide United.

One of Wenzel-Halls or Golgol Mebrahtu will be recalled in the final third, while Danzaki will also feel that he is in contention to feature in a creative area.

Deans could stick with the same Jets XI after they pushed the Mariners all of the way last weekend.

Valentino Yuel is an alternative on the right-hand side of attack, with John Koutroumbis an option in defence if Nigel Boogaard drops out of the team.

Newcastle Jets possible starting lineup:
Italiano; Millar, Jackson, Boogaard, Topor-Stanley, O'Toole; Hoffman, Ali Abbas, Thurgate, Prso; O'Donovan

Brisbane Roar possible starting lineup:
Young; Brindell-South, Neville, Trewin, Gillesphey, Brown; Parsons, O'Shea, Danzaki, Champness; Wenzel-Halls

We say: Newcastle Jets 1-2 Brisbane Roar

With neither side showing any positive form of late, this fixture could be closer than many are anticipating.

Nevertheless, we still expect Roar to show enough quality in the final third to get back to winning ways.

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