Melbourne City continues our extended run of home fixtures at AAMI Park this Sunday, returning for a fifth consecutive match in front of a home crowd as the Newcastle Jets come to town.
City enters the clash off the back of a much-needed midweek victory, with Max Caputo’s early header proving the difference in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on Tuesday night.
That result steadied the ship after a frustrating run of form and sets the platform for City to build momentum as the season edges toward its midpoint.
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Here are all the key talking points heading into Sunday!
Starting a streak
After returning to the winner’s circle during the week, City’s focus now turns to backing up that performance and turning one positive result into a sustained run. Tuesday’s win over Brisbane was significant not just for the three points, but for the composure and control shown across the 90 minutes, particularly after a period where results had not reflected performances.
With two home fixtures still to come before a challenging stretch of away matches, this weekend looms as an important opportunity to bank points and climb the ladder.
City has only managed back-to-back victories twice so far this campaign – once in late October and again in early November – so Aurelio Vidmar’s side will be eager to use the midweek result as a catalyst for a strong second-half surge.
Consistency has been elusive at times this season, but with confidence restored and defensive solidity continuing to be a hallmark of City’s game, Sunday presents a chance to begin building the type of momentum that can define a campaign.
A familiar foe
City and Newcastle meet for the second time in just over a month, with Vidmar’s side holding positive memories of the most recent encounter between the two. That meeting ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for City, with Kavian Rahmani scoring the decisive goal.
Unfortunately, the winger will be sidelined for Sunday’s rematch after suffering a knee injury, with the setback expected to keep him out for around a month.
Since that clash, the two sides’ form lines have taken contrasting paths. The Jets arrive in Melbourne with significant momentum, having won all but one of their matches in that period, including an impressive 3-1 away victory over Auckland FC last weekend despite being reduced to 10 men early.
Newcastle presents a unique challenge, boasting the league’s most potent attack while also having conceded the most goals this season.
City, meanwhile, has been one of the competition’s strongest defensive units, with only Sydney FC – having played two fewer matches – conceding less goals. If City can again marry that defensive discipline with improved execution in the final third, there will be confidence of success against an attack-minded Jets outfit.
Any changes needed?
Sunday’s fixture marks City’s third match in just over a week, meaning squad management will again be a key consideration. Vidmar made three changes midweek, welcoming Max Caputo, Liam Bonetig and Zane Schreiber back into the starting XI, and further adjustments remain a possibility with another quick turnaround.
There will be competition for places across the park, particularly in central defence, where Samuel Souprayen is back in the extended squad after being managed during the midweek fixture.
Andrew Nabbout is another pushing strongly for a return to the starting side, while young talents Beckham Baker, Besian Kutleshi and Ben Mazzeo will all be eager to stake their claims.
Lawrence Wong and Alessandro Lopane both made successful returns from long-term injuries against Brisbane, featuring off the bench in a welcome boost for City’s depth.
While a starting return may come too soon given their extended layoffs, their availability provides Vidmar with valuable options as City looks to maintain intensity and control throughout the contest.
Fixture Details
Isuzu UTE A-League: Round 13
Melbourne City FC v Newcastle Jets
Sunday 11 January, 5:00pm KO
AAMI Park
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