Head-to-head
Played 17 - Roar 6 wins, Jets wins 7, Draws 4

Previous Meeting
Newcastle 0-0 Brisbane Roar at EnergyAustralia Stadium, September 2010

History
There's never much separating these two sides when they come up against each other as the overall head-to-head record suggests with Brisbane winning six and Newcastle seven (four draws) of their 17 clashes in the A-League. The Jets have had the best of the recent clashes between the two, unbeaten in the last three previous meetings including a dour 0-0 draw in their first clash this season. Newcastle also don't fear travelling to Suncorp Stadium notching a win and a draw on the road last season.

Past Five Matches:
Brisbane Roar DLDWW
Newcastle Jets LDWLD

Match Committee:
Ange Postecoglou has added impressive youngsters Ivan Franjic and Luke Bratten to his squad after both missed the last match through injury and illness respectively and James Meyer has also been promoted after a couple of strong displays in the NYL. But attacking international duo of Jean Carlos Solorzano (quad) and Henrique (broken arm) are still both unavailable.

For the Jets, Nikolai Topor-Stanley is missing in the centre of defence through injury but Jeremy Brockie returns from international duty with New Zealand while Taylor Regan, Marko Jesic and Kaz Patafta have been included in an extended squad. Skipper Michael Bridges and midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse are still on the injured list also.

Danger men
Matt McKay - Postecoglou described McKay as the Brisbane's 'Steven Gerrard' earlier this season and there's no doubt the club skipper is a vital part of the Roar's current success. The hard-working and crafty midfielder has improved the attacking side of his game this season and his strong start to the current campaign was rewarded with his fifth Socceroos cap in the friendly with Paraguay last weekend.

Ruben Zadkovich - While the Jets have had an up-and-down start to the season both on and off the field, one constant has been the form of the former Sydney FC star. Zadkovich has been used in a number of different positions by coach Branko Culina - from fullback, to central midfield to winger - and done an excellent job on each occasion. The 24-year-old came back to the A-League from Derby County in England desperate to show he is a more mature and consistent player and he's certainly on the right track.

At the end of the day….
Brisbane are enjoying a brilliant run of form at the moment and at home they have been especially impressive, as Melbourne Heart found out recently when they were thumped 4-0 by Roar.
Postecoglou has his team playing a solid, possession-based game with all their key players - McKay, Murdocca, Devere, Paartalu, Broich and Reinaldo - fit and in-form, while Mitch Nicholls is their x-factor, super sub.

After a difficult few weeks, things are starting to look up for the Jets now new owner Nathan Tinkler has secured the club's long-term future while coach Culina has also re-signed until the 2014-15 season.

Roar, who haven't lost in their last five matches at Suncorp, are aiming to equal their longest ever undefeated home streak and although their last home loss was against the Jets last season they should have a little bit too much quality and fire power for the visitors.

Teams:
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 11. REINALDO,12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VISCONTE,15. Matt McKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK (three to be omitted)

In: Ivan FRANJIC (returns from injury), Luke BRATTAN (returns from illness), James MEYER (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (quad strain – 1 week), HENRIQUE (broken arm – indefinite)

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D’APUZZO, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC (c), 7. Kasey WEHRMAN, 9. Zhang SHOU, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 15. Sean ROONEY 16. Jeremy BROCKIE, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 19. Ali ABASS, 21. Brodie MOOY, 22.Kaz PATAFTA, 40. Matthew NASH (three to be omitted)

In: Taylor REGAN (promoted), Jeremy BROCKIE (returns from international duty), Marko JESIC (promoted), Kaz PATAFTA (promoted)
Out: Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY (injured – 1 week)
Unavailable: Neil YOUNG (illness – indefinite), Ben KANTAROVSKI (International Duty), Michael Bridges (injured – 4 weeks), Jobe WHEELHOUSE (injured – 1 week)