Newcastle look for Jet-propelled flight path to finals

Desperate for a win to stay in the hunt for A-League Women finals, the Newcastle Jets will be hoping for a form turn-around when they host Melbourne Victory.

EMILY GIELNIK.
EMILY GIELNIK. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images

Newcastle must defy the odds against bogey side Melbourne Victory to secure a finals berth with two rounds remaining in the A-League Women's competition.

The seventh-placed Jets host Victory on Saturday afternoon, chasing down the Wanderers, who are three points clear in the finals-bound sixth spot.

The Wanderers are at home to second-placed Western United later on Saturday evening.

However, the Jets' form line against the Victory is not pretty viewing, losing their past eight matches while conceding a whopping 27 goals and scoring only six.

Consistency has been an issue for the Jets, who haven't won back-to-back games since February 2019, but they have the chance now after picking up a 3-1 win against Western United FC in their previous game.

The fifth-placed Victorian outfit head north boasting a nine-game unbeaten run in which they have also picked up five wins.

Matildas striker Emily Gielnik has hit a purple patch in the run to the finals, with seven goals from those nine games.

While the Jets are fighting for survival in the penultimate round, Melbourne City (third) and Central Coast (fourth) also meet on Saturday with plenty to play for.

Both teams are still in the running for the Premier's Plate, with only three points separating the top five sides, headed by Sydney FC, with City looking to rediscover their best form, having won just once in their past seven games.

In Sunday's clashes, last-placed Canberra United host Wellington (eighth), who are coming off a 4-0 midweek win over Adelaide United but need a win and other results to fall their way to make the top six.

Ladder leaders Sydney FC have a record fourth straight Premier's Plate in sight, hosting Adelaide and then lowly Canberra in the final round.

Brisbane and Perth, who are both out of play-off contention, also meet.