Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Sunday 22nd November 2009

Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina has been in bullish mood ahead of his side’s home clash with Wellington Phoenix, claiming that his side remain title contenders despite presently hovering just one point off the foot of the table. If the Jets are to build on their much-needed Round 14 win over North Queensland, however, they may have to do it the hard way as several key first-teamers are serious injury doubts. Strike duo Michael Bridges and Sean Rooney are rated as no better than 50-50 chances to play, while goalkeeper Ben Kennedy has been ruled out by a groin problem. Sasho Petrovski and Donny De Groot may be the beneficiaries should Bridges and Rooney fail to pull up fit and young defender Ben Kantarovski also returns to the squad.

Wellington’s staff and players, meanwhile, are presumably still floating on the wave of euphoria that swept through New Zealand following their qualification for next year’s World Cup in South Africa. Phoenix players made up almost half of the victorious All Whites side and it remains to be seen whether they are still jaded from their on-field exertions in the play-off against Bahrain and possibly from the celebrations afterwards.

The Kiwi outfit were comfortable winners when the two sides met just two rounds ago in Wellington, but the Jets bounced back from that defeat by beating North Queensland and should provide sterner opposition on their home patch. It’s hard to preview any Wellington game without considering the prospect of a draw given that Ricki Herbert’s men have shared the spoils on no fewer than eight occasions already this season. They may well make it nine on Sunday.
Prediction: Newcastle Jets 1-1 Wellington Phoenix