Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets: match preview

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Brisbane Roar were originally scheduled to face the Newcastle Jets later in the season but, due to a space in the schedule, the match has been brought forward to this Friday, 20 March.

Robbie Fowler’s side were planning to travel and play Melbourne Victory this weekend, while Carl Robinson’s outfit were set to host Wellington Phoenix, but both matches have been postponed due to the Roar and Jets’ opponents being in self-isolation following their flights from New Zealand last week.

So now, the Roar will face the Jets behind closed doors at the Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night, with both sides seeking to extend their strong run of recent Hyundai A-League form.

Newcastle may be ninth in the ladder but a six-match unbeaten stretch, which overlapped the arrival of Robinson, has given everyone in the Hunter a boost. New arrivals Joe Ledley and Bernie Ibini have strengthen their cause, while marquee man Wes Hoolahan made his maiden Hyundai A-League start in the impressive 3-0 win at Adelaide last time out.

The surge may have arrived too late for the Jets, but the Roar are in finals form. Fowler's side are riding high in fourth place following a 1-0 triumph against Central Coast Mariners last weekend that made it four wins from their last six.

The teams drew 1-1 when they met at McDonald Jones Stadium earlier in the campaign, with Brad Inman hitting a late equaliser for the Queenslanders. Roy O’Donovan was playing for the Roar on that day, and he will likely face the club he opened the 2019/20 season with on Friday.

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Friday, 20 March 2020
Kick-off: 6.30pm local, 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports