Melbourne City FC will be looking to return to form on Sunday afternoon when it takes on Newcastle at McDonald-Jones Stadium.
The clash
City head into Sunday’s fixture coming off the back of consecutive losses for the first time since December 2019.
Last Sunday saw a 1-3 home loss to Perth, despite City having the better of the chances and general play. Goals were hard to come by for the home side, with Maclaren’s first half tap-in the only time City were able to find the back of the net.
Goal number 2️⃣ of the season for Macca.
📽 @FOXFOOTBALL#MCYvPER #ALeague #CmonCity pic.twitter.com/P8BvuFBzuw
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 31, 2021
Things were looking much more positive on the Central Coast midweek, with City leading 0-2 at the half hour mark but it was all downhill from there.
𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 '𝑪'.
Nooney and Luna combine for the opener away from home!
📽 @FOXFOOTBALL#CmonCity #CCMvMCY #ALeague pic.twitter.com/a7en9AfJJ3
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) February 3, 2021
A Jaden Casella goal just before half-time got the Mariners back into the game before they scored twice in the second half as City were left to finish the match with ten men.
As a result, defender Kerrin Stokes will miss this clash due to suspension but it did pave the way for Alec Mills to come on and make his debut against the Mariners.
Congratulations to Alec Mills on making his @ALeague debut last night! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/GVtqLJNyml
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) February 4, 2021
Mills looked comfortable in his first taste of A-League action and with City’s depth being tested early this season, it is great to see young players able to step up and perform.
Although City are tested by injuries and suspension at the back currently, competition for spots will heat up with Portuguese defender Nuno Reis joining the squad on Saturday.
Newcastle will be looking to get its second win of the season in Sunday’s fixture as they’ve also started the season a little slower than they’d been hoping.
The Jets were able to claim all three points in the last meeting between teams, winning 2-1 back in March 2020. Prior to this City had enjoyed a period of dominance against Newcastle, winning five of the previous six fixtures.
Team News
As mentioned above, Reis has joined the squad and is available for selection on Sunday. Youngsters Luke Oresti and Bernardo Olivera have also been promoted to City extended squad.
Melbourne City FC squad
1.Tom GLOVER (gk), 2.Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (c), 4. Nuno REIS, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER, 11.Craig NOONE, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 14.Naoki TSUBAKI, 16.Taras GOMULKA, 17.Stefan COLAKOVSKI, 18.Connor METCALFE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20. Adrian LUNA, 22.Curtis GOOD, 23.Marco TILIO, 33.Matthew SUTTON (gk), 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES, 37. Bernardo OLIVEIRA, 48. Luke ORESTI.
In: 4. Nuno REIS (completed quarantine), 37. Bernardo OLIVEIRA (promoted), Luke ORESTI (promoted).
Out: 36. Kerrin STOKES (suspension).
Unavailable: 15. Andrew NABBOUT (hamstring), 7. Rostyn GRIFFITHS (quad), 36. Kerrin STOKES (suspension).
Match Details
A-League Round 7
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City FC
Sunday 7 February, kick-off 4.05pm
McDonald-Jones Stadium
