Brisbane Roar will encounter Newcastle Jets this Saturday at Kayo Stadium in a bid to make it three consecutive wins at home.
The Jets are currently in eighth place and are in pursuit of a spot in the top six, while the Roar will be looking to crush these hopes any way they can and ensure three points for themselves.
The Roar have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three A-League Men games against the Jets in Queensland picking up two wins and one draw across that stretch.
Last time the Roar took on the Jets it was a disappointing 4-0 defeat after a stellar performance from Piscopo ignited a goal-scoring Newcastle side.
In the 52nd minute, Reno Piscopo sliced through a line of Brisbane Roar players to lay off the ball to Jaushua Sotirio who made a wonderful finish to the bottom left of goal.
Trent Buhagiar outran Brisbane defence after a through ball by Piscopo in the 72nd minute to score, with Beka Mikeltadze converting a long-range strike just moments later.
The Jets then topped their win off with a goal from Archie Goodwin in added time to seal the 4-0 victory.
Interim Head Coach Nick Green is looking forward to a chance for his squad to turn things around and is staying positive in preparations for Saturday.
“There’s an opportunity for the boys to go and put things right from last week and wherever there is a chance, nothing is impossible for us and we’re going to give it a good go and try and bounce back,” Green said.
“It’s looking to be really positive, and we’re on the front foot.”
Nick Green has won his first two home games as manager of Brisbane Roar FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League; he will be looking to become just the second manager in the history of the club to win their first three home fixtures as manager after John Aloisi in 2015.
Captain Tom Aldred is looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of home support in a bid to bounce back from the Roar’s loss against Central Coast Mariners last week.
“It wasn’t a good performance from us as a team, it was way below the standard of what we expect as a club and as players,” Aldred said.
“Saturday provides the best opportunity to put that right, so we look forward to the game against Newcastle at home,” he added.
“It’s an opportunity for us, if we win, we go ahead in the table and keep our season alive in terms of a potential spot in the finals.”
The skipper is focused only on the present and is staying determined ahead of the Jets clash.
“We can’t look too far ahead,” he said.
“Next game is the biggest game and that’s against Newcastle on the weekend. If we win that, that leads us onto the next game.”
“Saturday is a huge game at home in front of our home fans, it’s an opportunity to get three points.”
Jay O’Shea has scored one goal in each of his last four games.
Only twice in the history of the competition has any player scored in more consecutive games for the Roar.
Catch the action on Paramount+ or buy your tickets here. KO at 5:00pm AEST.
Ins and Outs
- Macklin Freke, 2. Scott Neville, 3. Jordan Courtney-Perkins, 5. Thomas Aldred, 7. Rahmat Akbari, 10. Niklola Mileusnic, 11. Jez Lofthouse, 12. Taras Gomulka, 13. Henry Hore, 15. Noah Smith, 16. Josh Brindell-South, 17. Carlo Armiento, 19. Jack Hingert, 21. Marcel Canadi, 22. Stefan Scepovic, 23. Jordan Holmes, 26. Jay O’Shea, 27. Kai Trewin, 28. Joe Knowles, 32. James Nikolovski, 35. Louis Zabala.
IN: 28. Knowles (Returns from injury)
OUT: 14. Robbie Kruse (Injured)
