Preview: Newcastle Jets vs. Western Sydney Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers meet in the A-League on Friday having both suffered defeats in their opening fixtures.

A day after Western Sydney lost out by a 1-0 scoreline to Macarthur, the Jets succumbed in the same manner against Central Coast Mariners.

Match preview

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Ahead of their opener against last season's bottom-placed side, the Jets would have been hopeful of getting their campaign off to the perfect start.

However, Alou Kuol's goal just before half time proved to be the difference at the Central Coast Stadium, and it leaves Craig Deans with much to ponder.

There have also been issues behind the scenes with the club's owner effectively been removed from his position, leading to a consortium taking temporary charge.

Nevertheless, while he remains with the managerial reins on an interim basis, Deans will be keen to remain focused on the matter at hand later this week.

Like their hosts, Western Sydney Wanderers would have been targeting a fast start to the season, particularly when their first opponents were newcomers Macarthur.

The visitors proved that they were no pushovers, keeping the Wanderers out at one end before Benat Etxebarria gave his new club the perfect start at the other.

Having ended his short stint at Friday's opponents to move to Western Sydney, it was a reality check for Carl Robinson as he bids to improve their standing in Australia's top flight.

Wanderers finished one place below the Jets during the 2019-20 campaign, and one of these clubs will have concerns about spending this season fighting to keep themselves off bottom spot if they lose a second straight game.

Newcastle Jets Australian A-League form: L

Western Sydney Wanderers Australian A-League form: L

Team News

Wanderers never went behind against Macarthur until they started making substitutions, and that may convince Robinson to name the same starting XI.

Former West Bromwich Albion pair Graham Dorrans and Simon Cox, now both 33 years of age, should keep their places in midfield and attack.

The Jets will hope to have Jason Hoffman fit after the right-back's early withdrawal against the Mariners.

Despite featuring for much of last week's fixture, youngster Lucas Mauragis could remain among the replacements.

Newcastle Jets possible starting lineup: Duncan; Hoffman, Jackson, Topor-Stanley, O'Toole; Thurgate, Ugarkovic, Petratos; Yuel, Najjarine, O'Donovan

Western Sydney Wanderers possible starting lineup: Margush; Gordon, Mourdoukoutas, McGowan; Russell, Baccus, Dorrans, Georgievski; Cox, Troisi, Ibini-Isei

We say: Newcastle Jets 1-1 Western Sydney Wanderers

With both teams eager to avoid back-to-back defeats, this could turn out to be a nervy affair. Despite each side being capable of claiming maximum points, we feel that a low-scoring draw will be the end result.

Top betting tip