Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC Tips & Prediction - Sydney backed for second win over Newcastle this season

This has all the makings of a high-scoring and entertaining showdown. You simply don't know what you're going to get from the Jets - they've conceded more goals than any other side in the competition, but also scored the second-most. Newcastle toppled Wellington 3-1 across the ditch in one of the most end-to-end games of the season last week, scoring three goals in a seven-minute period and leading the shot count 20-16. Meanwhile, Sydney were more business-like, heading across the country and grinding out a 1-0 win over a resurgent Perth Glory side, extending their stay at the summit.

I'm backing goals and a Sydney win here. The Sky Blues have already tasted victory at McDonald Jones Stadium this season, earning a 4-1 win back in Round 3 courtesy of a hat-trick from Al Hassan Toure - a performance that propelled him into the Socceroos setup. The Jets should be good for at least a goal, but their defence remains too vulnerable - Wellington easily could have scored four or five goals last week. Sydney should ultimately prove too classy.

Sydney have now won the last two meetings by 3-2 and 4-1 scores, while the last five have produced 4+ total goals. Ben Gibson opened the scoring for Newcastle in that aforementioned Round 3 clash earlier this season before Toure's hat-trick and another strike from Pat Wood score Sydney complete a dominant comeback win.

It's been a Jekyll & Hyde season from the Jets coming into Round 9 - they're easily the most unpredictable side in the A-League, capable of beating and losing to any team on any given day.

Six of the Jets' nine points this season have come in New Zealand, with Mark Milligan's side earning a 2-1 upset win over Auckland before last week's thrilling 3-1 triumph over Wellington.

Somehow neither side broke the deadlock heading into half-time, but the Jets exploded in the second stanza, with three goals in seven minutes by Eli Adams, Lachie Rose and Clayton Taylor.

However, how Newcastle didn't concede more than one goal is a mystery - Phoenix had 16 shots and missed several golden chances to get themselves back into it.

That win propelled the Jets up to eighth spot on the ladder and another upset here would likely see them finish the round in the top six.

Newcastle Jets Squad: 1. James DELIANOV, 5. Joe SHAUGHNESSY, 7. Eli ADAMS, 8. Lachlan BAYLISS, 9. Lachlan ROSE, 11. Ben GIBSON, 13. Clayton TAYLOR, 15. Aleksandar ŠUŠNJAR, 17. Kosta GROZOS, 18. Kota MIZUNUMA, 19. Alex BADOLATO, 22. Joel BERTOLISSIO, 23. Daniel WILMERING, 28. Will DOBSON, 33. Mark NATTA, 37. Oli COCKLE, 39. Thomas AQUILINA, 40. Jordan BAYLIS, 42. Max COOPER, 43. Xavier BERTONCELLO

It's been an excellent start to the season for Sydney, who find themselves sitting pretty at the top of the ladder after eight rounds and looking like the team to beat in these early stages.

After a disappointing season last term, it was imperative that Ufuk Talay's side started this campaign with a bang and they've certainly done that, coming into this clash having won six of their last seven games.

Even without injured winger Joe Lolley, the Sky Blues were able to get the job done last week, with young replacement Abel Walatee scoring on debut in the fifth minute as his side held on for a gritty 1-0 win over an in-form Perth side.

Sydney's only loss since Round 1 away to Adelaide was the derby defeat to the Wanderers and they will be aiming to extend their lead at the top of the table on Saturday in the Hunter.

Sydney FC squad: 1. Gus HOEFSLOOT (GK),  4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5.  Alex GRANT, 6. Corey HOLLMAN, 7.  Piero QUISPE, 8. Wataru KAMIJO, 9.  Victor CAMPUZANO, 10. Joe LOLLEY, 11. Abel WALATEE, 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES (GK), 13. Pat WOOD, 16. Joel KING, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 20. Tiago QUINTAL, 23. Rhyan GRANT ©, 32. Marcel TISSERAND, 35. Al Hassan TOURE, 36. Rhys YOULLEY, 41. Alexandar POPOVIC, 44. Akol AKON.