The Jets face Western Sydney at Hunter Stadium on Good Friday in one of the biggest home games in the Club’s history.
The Newcastle Jets face Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium on Good Friday in what is shaping as one of the biggest home games in the Club-s history.
With such a big match on the horizon, newcastlejets.com.au has decided to take a look at the different scenarios that need to occur during next weekend-s last round of A-League action for the Jets to qualify for the Finals Series.
Following the results of four Round 26 matches this weekend, the Jets now sit in eighth place on the A-League ladder with 31 competition points. Perth Glory (31 points), Sydney FC (32 points) and Brisbane Roar (32 points) are the three other teams fighting for the two remaining top six spots.
Perth-s last minute win over Melbourne elevated them into seventh place on the A-League ladder, while Sydney moved one point clear of the Jets into sixth after drawing with Western Sydney Wanderers in the Sydney Derby.
Brisbane-s win over Melbourne Heart moved them up to fifth place by virtue of their superior goal difference, while that result also ended the Heart-s hopes of finishing the season with a playoff spot.
The Jets- season will now be on the line when they host the table-topping Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium this Friday.
The Jets have a goal difference of minus 12, the lowest of the four teams in contention for the two remaining finals spots.
A draw against the Wanderers on Good Friday will only be enough for the Jets to make the top six if Brisbane Roar defeat Sydney FC by a margin of four goals or more and Perth Glory lose their last match to Adelaide United.
Aside from that extremely unlikely scenario occurring, nothing less than a win over the Wanderers will be enough for Newcastle to qualify for their first A-League Finals Series since 2009-10.
With Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC playing each other in the final round on Thursday, at best only one of those two sides would be able to finish above the Jets, provided that Newcastle defeat the Wanderers.
If Brisbane and Sydney play out a draw, a win for the Jets over the Wanderers would guarantee a top six spot for Newcastle, regardless of Round 27-s other results.
However, if either Brisbane or Sydney win their clash, the Jets would have to defeat Western Sydney, before enduring a nervous wait until Saturday night when they would require Adelaide United to defeat or draw with Perth Glory.
If this situation was to occur, the Jets would be guaranteed to finish the season in sixth place.
However, it pans out, the Jets will have everything to play for in their blockbuster clash on Friday night and with a large crowd expected for the fixture, the atmosphere is sure to be electric.
Jets supporters are encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets from PROticket to secure the best seats and avoid queues on the day.
Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday, March 29
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 5.30pm
Tickets from PROticket
SHOULD THE JETS MAKE THE FINALS, CLICK HERE FOR TICKETING DETAILS.
