Australian A-League: Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City betting preview & free tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City in the Hyundai Australian A-League.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 8.30am Monday

Best bet

Melbourne City
1pt 11-8 bet365, Betfred, Betway
Back this tip with bet365

Match preview

Highflying Melbourne City are targeting a strong finish to the Hyundai A-League season and can seal a third successive away victory by defeating struggling Newcastle Jets at the McDonald Jones Stadium.

Only the top six teams will have their season extended and ninth-placed Newcastle are well off the playoff pace after losing 1-0 away to Brisbane Roar on Friday.

Previously, Carl Robinson's side had put together a six-match unbeaten run which included a notable 2-1 success at home to Perth Glory.

But it has been a largely disappointing campaign for the Jets, who have shipped 38 goals in 21 league fixtures.

The Jets have kept just four clean sheets all season and their shaky defence could be exposed by City's star striker Jamie Maclaren, who bagged a hat-trick in Friday's 4-2 success away to basement boys Central Coast Mariners.

Maclaren was on the books of Blackburn earlier in his career but failed to make the grade in English football.

However, he has earned Australian international recognition, scoring five goals in 15 games for the Socceroos, and is the A-League's top scorer this season with 18 goals in 19 appearances.

A quality supply line to Maclaren is assured thanks to 32-year-old Spanish winger Susaeta, who has vast La Liga experience after 13 years with Athletic Bilbao, and 30-year-old French winger Florin Berenguer, who was formerly a key player for Sochaux in the French second tier.

Given the offensive quality in Melbourne City's ranks it is no great surprise to see them doing so well.

They have every chance of strengthening their grip on second place by claiming a 13th win of the campaign.

Key stat

Newcastle Jets have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven home matches.

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