The Newcastle Jets host Canberra United at Jack McLaughlin Oval as the race for the finals heats up.

Round 9 saw the Jets travel to Perth to take on the Glory. They took the lead early through an Emily Van Egmond long range chip before being overrun by a Glory side inspired by the seemingly unstoppable Sam Kerr.

Kerr had scored a brace by half time as the Glory ran out to 4-1 in the 2nd half before Tara Andrews scored a conciliation goal to make it 4-2 at full time.

Canberra United put on one of their best performances to date with a 3-0 home win over Sydney FC.

It was the Canberra United we all know best with Michelle Heyman doing the damage setting up the first goal and scoring the third with strike partner Steph Ochs also getting on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile Canberra looked more solid defensively with duo Ellie Brush and Grace Field instrumental in keeping Jasmyne Spencer quiet.

Newcastle will look to captain Emily Van Egmond to continue to lead the way and control the play along. Van Egmond has been in stellar form all season is a large part of the reason the Jets are contending for the finals.

Going forward they will also be looking to the overlapping runs of their two quick fullbacks in Katherine Reynolds and Georgia Yeoman-Dale. Yeoman-Dale will be no doubt be ready for a good performance against her old teammates for the first time.

That familiarity should make for an intriguing battle between Yeoman-Dale and Nicole Begg, Canberra United’s left fullback and Captain.

For Canberra United they will be looking to their midfield partially Lori Lindsey for supply the front three of Sykes, Ochs and Heyman. Fellow American Kendall Fletcher provides the midfield steel while Munoz the link up play with the pacy strikeforce.

Heyman is Canberra United’s top scorer this season with six goals so far, and also enjoys playing the Jets scoring 8 goals in the previous meeting.

As far as head to head goes. All bar one game, the very first round of W-League, the result has gone the way of Canberra. Matches have traditionally been close with the occasional score line blowout.

This match promises to be a close one with both sides wanting to take the three points for different reasons.

For the Jets, a win is a must. With the competition so close, they can’t afford to slip up in the race for the finals.

Whilst Canberra United will want to regain 2nd spot and secure an all-important home semi-final.

The Jets have a good record this season of breaking pre-existing “hoodoos” with a first time win over Melbourne Victory, and beating the Brisbane Roar for only the 2nd time. With the majority of the side having little or no affiliation with the past.

Newcastle Jets v Canberra United

Saturday 15 November 2014

Jack McLaughlin Oval, Newcastle

Local kick-off: 3pm

Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Hannah Southwell, 2. Georgia Yeoman-Dale,  3. Hayley Crawford, 5. Katherine Reynolds, 6. Angela Salem, 7. Tori Huster, 8. Amber Neilson, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Emily van Egmond, 11. Rhali Dobson, 12. Sophie Nenadovic, 16. Cassidy Davis, 17. Grace McIntyre, 20. Claire Coelho (GK), 24. Brooke Miller

Ins: Hannah Southwell (Westfield Young Matildas), Brooke Miller (promoted)

Outs: Libby Copus-Brown, Renee Rudder (both omitted)

Unavailable: Ashley Spina (knee – season)

Canberra United squad: 1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Tegan RIDING, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS (gk), 22. Stephanie OCHS

Ins: Rebecca Kiting (promoted)

Unavailable: Meg McLAUGHLIN (knee - season)