KEY POINTS:
The best, in terms of their defensive record in the A-League, take on the worst in Newcastle tomorrow night.
In conceding just 15 goals in the first 17 rounds - at an average of 0.88 goals-per-game - the Newcastle Jets are threatening the season record of 0.90 with
four regular season games to play.
On the other hand, their opponents at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Ricki Herbert's Wellington Phoenix, have given up more goals - 28 - than any other team in the Hyundai A-League.
But, to counter that, the hosts go into the game with the equal worst attacking record, having scored only 17 whereas the Phoenix are third with 22. Jets striker Joel Griffiths is the leading goalscorer with nine, one more than Phoenix sharpshooter Shane Smeltz.
But with Griffiths and key Jets defender Andrew Durante sidelined by suspension for this game, Smeltz will have his sights set on getting back on top in the race for the golden boot.
The Phoenix are also hit by suspension with playmaker Daniel out for two games after receiving his seventh booking. He would not have played anyway, as he is still in Brazil with his wife awaiting the birth of their first child.
"He rang me this morning and said he will be back as planned on January 4," said Herbert before the Phoenix flew out for Newcastle yesterday afternoon. "While it is disappointing to lose a player like that, I feel a few of his bookings have been a bit unfair."
With marquee player Ahmad Elrich unlikely to play - he has been in Sydney for an operation on a troublesome tooth but joined the team for the trip to Newcastle yesterday - Tim Brown is set to rejoin the side.
"Otherwise, it is likely to be the same team who played Queensland," said Herbert. "We are keen to do something in this one. We lost 2-1 to them away when we had seven players out on international duty and were a bit unlucky to lose 1-0 at home early on."
While Herbert remains reluctant to talk up any play-off hopes, he is aware that with all eight teams still in contention, no one is giving up.
The added interest in this year's league is reflected in predictions the on- millionth fan for the season will pass through the gates - possibly for Monday's game between leaders Central Coast and Melbourne Victory. This will be much earlier than past seasons. The one-millionth spectator did not come until the preliminary final in season one and last time the milestone was reached in round 20.
NEWCASTLE JETS V WELLINGTON
EnergyAustralia Stadium, 9pm tomorrow (NZ time) live SS1
Newcastle (from): Ante Covic, Adam Griffiths, Jade North (captain), Steve Eagleton, Stuart Musialik, Matt Thompson, Denni , Tarek Elrich, Adam D'Apuzzo, Jobe Wheelhouse, Scott Tunbridge, Troy Hearfield, Noel Spencer, Mark Bridge, Ben Kennedy, Jason Hoffman, James Holland, Stephen Laybutt.
Wellington Phoenix (likely): Glen Moss, Karl Dodd, Kristian Rees, Steven Old, Tim Brown, Michael Ferrante, Vince Lia, Felipe, Tony Lochhead, Shane Smeltz, Vaughan Coveny.
