Avondale FC vs Newcastle Jets Tips & Predictions - Jets to reach first Australia Cup final

Having repeatedly underperformed in the Australia Cup over the last decade, the Jets have finally gone on a run, reaching their first semi-final of the competition, beating two fellow A-League sides in Adelaide United and defending champions Macarthur FC along the way. It's been a great start for new Jets manager Mark Milligan and now he will be trying to orchestrate a passage through to the final. Meanwhile, Avondale have lit up the Australia Cup, scoring a total of 14 goals on their way to the semi-finals - although they have benefitted from not facing an A-League side as of yet.

I think we're getting good value for the Jets at $2.40 here. Although Avondale are tearing up the NPL Victoria and have coasted into the semi-finals, this is by far their biggest test. The Jets ended the last A-League season in encouraging fashion and have been impressive so far this Australia Cup. Newcastle are simply the superior side and at this stage of the competition, you'd back that class to shine through.

This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.

What a season it's been for Avondale - they are flying high at the top of NPL Victoria, winning 19 of their 26 games and leading fellow Australia Cup semi-finalists Heidelberg United by four points.

Avondale come into this clash on a seven-match winning streak in all competitions, scoring a whopping 24 goals in the process.

Kicking off their Australia Cup campaign with a 5-1 victory over Stirling Macedonia in the R32, Avondale then defeated NPL NSW giants APIA Leichhardt 3-1 in the R16 before demolishing Brisbane City 6-2 to reach the final four.

South Sudan international Manyluak Aguek has been on fire, scoring six goals and recording two assists in his last two games - including netting a hat-trick against Brisbane City in the quarter-finals.

It was another disappointing A-League campaign for the Jets, but they did showcase promising signs towards the end of the season and they've continued trending upwards in the Australia Cup.

Mark Milligan has replaced Rob Stanton as coach and already looks the good, guiding Newcastle into their first ever Australia Cup semi-final after a decade of underachieving in the competition.

The Jets recovered from 1-0 down to topple Adelaide United 2-1 in the R32 and haven't looked back, easing past Cooks Hill United 5-0 before a thumping 3-0 triumph over defending champions Macarthur FC last week in the quarter-finals.

Max Burgess has been a solid signing and scored his first goal for the Jets in the last eight, while experienced Japanese winger Kota Mizunuma has scored two goals in the competition as he continues his great form since arriving at the club.