Bitesize Prediction: Western United vs Newcastle Jets – 17/01/25

Competition: A-League

Market: Western United win

Odds: 4/5 @ BetUS

Hoping to widen their buffer in the play-off chase, Western United will welcome Newcastle to Ironbark Fields on Friday morning.

Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last week as they secured a remarkable 4-3 victory away at Melbourne Victory, Western United are enjoying what has become a real A-League purple patch. Despite spending the whole of last season battling it out at the foot of the table, John Aloisi’s men have made a string of improvements this time around. Getting the New Year underway with a dramatic 3-2 win against Perth, the Tarneit-based outfit have now collected 15 points from their previous six A-League appearances. With their stellar run of form stemming all the way back to a 0-0 stalemate against Macarthur on December 7th, Western United are sat in the driving seat to punch a play-off ticket in 2025. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, it should also be noted that Aloisi’s side claimed a 1-0 victory against Brisbane in their last appearance at Ironbark Fields.

As for the visitors, despite securing what was a much-welcomed 1-0 victory against Brisbane earlier in the month, Newcastle came immediately crashing back down to earth last time out. Eventually hit with a 3-1 drumming at home agains Macarthur, the Jets have once again failed to find any kind of stability this season. Opening the midweek fixtures sat 10 points adrift of finding a route into the play-off places, Robert Stanton’s side have lost seven of their previous nine A-League appearances. Almost sat in top-flight limbo, the former Sydney coach has not seen his inconsistent squad record consecutive domestic victories since April of last year. Suffering a 2-0 defeat when they last travelled to Ironbark Fields 11 months ago, Newcastle should have another tricky test on their hands here. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class between Friday’s opponents, we are backing a home victory in Tarneit this weekend.

Bet: Western United 4/5 to beat Newcastle Jets in Friday’s A-League battle @ BetUS