Preview: Sydney FC In Prime Position For Newcastle Showdown
Sydney FC’s Isuzu UTE A-League squad will travel to McDonald Jones Stadium this Sunday afternoon for a critical round 23 match-up. The Sky Blues will need a victory over the Newcastle Jets if they want to break their joint 4th place with the Macarthur Bulls.
Chipping at the heels of Melbourne Victory, a win could see Ufuk Talay’s squad overtake their Big Blue competitors and cement a top three position.
Sydney FC are currently equal fourth just ahead of their cross city rivals, the Western Sydney Wanderers and with the final Sydney Derby for the season quickly approaching, the Sky Blues will be looking for a win in Newcastle to set them apart.
Ones To Watch: Joe Lolley and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos
The battle of the forwards will take place as Sydney FC’s Englishman Joe Lolley will go head to head with Jets attacker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
Lolley has been a key player for the Sky Blues since his maiden season with the club in 2022/23. The 31 year-old has 16 A-League goals under his belt, with nine of those being for the 2023/2024 season alone. He is the second highest goal scorer for Sydney FC this season and has an outstanding seven assists. The Redditch born player is known for his high press style and fast pace. Lolley is an influential player to look out for considering his ability to create big chances. Thus far, Lolley has created 13 chances this season and there is still four rounds remaining. He will be a tough component to face on Sunday.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos debuted for the A-League in 2017. Since then, the soon to be 30 year-old has netted 21 goals. Joining the Newcastle Jets in 2021, Stamatelopoulos has netted 17 goals, holding his teams highest goal scorer title for the 2023/2024 season. The North Adelaide native is only three goals away from entering Newcastle Jets top four all-time goal scorers. The forward has made ‘Team of the Week’ twice this season, notching one assist and creating five chances.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos of the Jets (right).Head-To-Head 2023/2024 Season:
10-5-8SYD-RECORD-NEW4-9-1034-12-11H2H11-12-3414-6-7H2H AT MCDONALD JONES STADIUM7-6-1453.6%POSSESSION PG46.6%1.9GOALS SCORED PG1.41.5GOALS CONCEDED PG1.819.0SHOTS PG13.06.6SHOTS ON TARGET PG4.52CLEAN SHEETS43.0SAVES PG4.6375PASSES PG3561.9YELLOW CARDS PG1.34RED CARDS PG1Team News:
Sydney FC will forgo Patrick Wood (ankle) and Gus Hoefsloot (knee) whilst they recover from their injuries sustained earlier in the season while Jake Girdwood-Reich is suspended. The Sky Blues will also miss 16 year-old Joe Lacey whilst he recovers from injury. The players are completing rehabilitation and will hopefully be in contention for finals depending on their progress.
The Newcastle Jets will miss Jason Berthomier, Zac Bowling, Jacob Dowse, Nathan Grimaldi and Justin Vidmic due to injury.
Rhyan Grant of Sydney FC.Last Time Out:
The Sky Blues and Jets last met in January this year. The result was a 4-0 win for Sydney FC after an opening goal from Patrick Wood, followed by Joe Lolley and a double from Max Burgess in the 76th and 79th minute. The Newcastle Jets will be looking to disrupt Sydney FC’s positive momentum this weekend. However, the Jets have not had a win in their last nine matches and have gone two rounds without scoring a goal.
Match Details:
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FCIsuzu UTE A-League, Round 23Sunday, April 7th, 2024McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, NSWKick Off: 3:00pm AEDTBroadcast: Paramount+ & 10BOLDPurchase Tickets here
