Thursday’s only A-League Round 23 match is between Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix. The opening kick-off is set to commence at 5.30pm with the game to be played at Hunter Stadium. The home team Newcastle Jets are the favourites for the match. View our live scores and teams for the game between Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix.

Round: Round 24, Saturday March 22 at 5.30pm AEDT.
Stadium: Hunter Stadium
Head to head: Played: 21, Wins: Jets 5, Phoenix 13, Draws: 3
Previous encounter: Jets 2-3 Phoenix, February 9 2014

Odds Comparison:

Newcastle Jets	2.05	1.95	1.98	1.95	2.05	2.00
Draw	3.50	3.50	3.45	3.50	3.50	3.40
Wellington Phoenix	3.40	3.75	3.50	3.75	3.40	3.60

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

The Jets take on the Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, 5.30PM at Hunter Stadium. Newcastle will be favourites to take the points at home, in a game that sees seventh play eighth with only a month of the regular season remaining. The Jets lost last week to the Central Coast, and can’t afford to lose another game this close to the season end. Wellington are in a similar position, needing this win badly after only managing a single victory in their last five games.

The importance of this match will depend on the result of the Friday night game, with a clear opportunity for one of these sides to make an impact on the table if either Adelaide or Sydney FC take all three points. The Jets should be able to win at home, especially if they can take advantage of a weak Wellington defence that has let through five goals twice in their last five matches.

Teams:

Newcastle Jets squad:
1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 4.Kew JALIENS, 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Zenon CARAVELLA, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (c), 9.Emile HESKEY, 11.Craig GOODWIN, 13.Joey GIBBS, 14.Josh MITCHELL, 15.Josh BRILLANTE, 19.Michael BRIDGES, 21.Sam GALLAWAY, 20.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.David CARNEY, 24.Mitch OXBORROW, 29.Joel GRIFFITHS.
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Joey GIBBS (promoted), 19.Michael BRIDGES (promoted).
Outs: Nil.
Unavailable: 2.Scott NEVILLE (knee injury – long term) 25.Mitch COOPER (knee injury – long term).

Wellington Phoenix squad:
1.Glen MOSS (GK), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 4.Luke ADAMS, 5.Michael BOXALL, 9.Kenny CUNNINGHAM, 10.Stein HUYSEGEMS, 11.Jeremy BROCKIE, 12.Tyler BOYD, 15.Jason HICKS, 17.Vince LIA, 19.Hamish WATSON, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 24.Roy KRISHNA, 25.Shaun TIMMINS, 26.Justin GULLEY.
**One to be omitted**.
Ins: 4.Luke ADAMS (promoted), 26.Justin GULLEY (injury replacement).
Outs: 18.Ben SIGMUND (suspended).
Unavailable: 3.Reece CAIRA (fractured cheekbone 6-8 weeks), 6.Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH (ankle injury 4-6 weeks), 7.Leo BERTOS (groin injury (2 to 3 weeks), 8.Paul IFILL (ruptured Achilles, season), 13.Albert RIERA (groin injury, season), 6.Louis FENTON (shoulder injury, season), 21.Carlos HERNANDEZ (quad injury 2-3 weeks).

News:

Just days after Coach John van’t Schip committed his future with the Heart, the club has secured its leading scorer up until the end of the 2015/16 season.

Williams, 26, has illustrated his proficiency in front of goal this season, scoring 11 times and surging to equal top of the Hyundai A-League goal-scoring chart.

The dynamic winger also claimed the mantle of the club’s all-time top goal-scorer, his tally now 17 goals for the red and white.

Williams said he was excited to be part of the Club’s plans for the future but was acutely aware of the importance of the team’s final four Hyundai A-League matches.

“I am very pleased that I will be with the Club next season and beyond,” Williams said.

“I have been here since 2011 and have worked closely with JvS (John van’t Schip), so it is exciting to be continuing my career here.

“I am happy with how I have performed this season, but there is still plenty of work to be done and we hope to finish the season in a good position.”

van’t Schip said that Williams would be an important figure as his squad takes shape for next season.

“David has proven his worth as one of the A-League’s most dangerous attackers and we are pleased to have him as part of our squad for next season,” van’t Schip said.

“He has not only offered his goal-scoring services this season, but has grown and developed further as a player, making him a truly exciting prospect.”

Williams has featured in 22 matches this season and scored Melbourne Heart FC’s first-ever hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Wellington Phoenix in February.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Heart FC has released striker Michael Mifsud to allow him to return home to Malta with his family.