Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Wellington Phoenix’s push for a spot in the Hyundai A-League playoffs took a huge hit last weekend as they lost 3-1 away to Western Sydney Wanderers, leaving them five points adrift of Wanderers in 6th position.

The hosts sit below them in 7th, and a win last weekend would have taken them into the top six and put them in a great spot to make the playoffs. As it stands there are just four games in the regular season remaining and they not only need to fend off competition from below them, but also make up a five point deficit on Wanderers.

The defeat last weekend made it one win, two draws, and five losses in their last eight outings in the A-League, largely thanks to a collapse in their defensive abilities. They have conceded 21 goals in these eight games, which makes up over half of their season total for conceded goals. They have conceded at least three goals in five of their last six outings.

At home Wellington Phoenix are four games without a win and have conceded 12 goals in this period, but they’re facing a Newcastle Jets side with some defensive issues of their own. The visitors lost 4-0 at Melbourne City last weekend to extend their own winless streak to six matches, with them shipping 11 goals over this run.

The visitors are one of the three teams below Wellington Phoenix in the table, but there is only a point between the two sides and Newcastle Jets know that a win here would give them an outside chance of making it into the playoffs.

Away from home they have lost eight of their 11 A-League games this season though, conceding 25 goals and scoring 12 at the other end. With both teams’ defences struggling massively at the moment I think this could be a high scoring game.

Six of Wellington Phoenix’s last nine at home have seen at least three goals, and they have conceded an average of three goals per game over their last four home matches. Newcastle Jets have seen at least three goals in six of their last nine on the road too, and whilst they have struggled to score a few times, I can’t see them having an issue against their out of form hosts’ defence. Odds of 5/6 for Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score look good value, so I’m backing that alongside a 2-2 correct score predictions at 11/1.