Football in Australia has a funny way of producing grudge matches where you least expect them. Honestly, if you asked a casual fan about the biggest rivalries in the A-League, they’d probably point to the Big Blue or the Sydney Derby. But lately, Newcastle Jets vs Adelaide United has turned into the kind of fixture that leaves everyone a bit stressed and very entertained.
It’s not just about the points anymore. It’s about the baggage.
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We are currently deep into the 2025/26 season, and the table is a chaotic mess. As of mid-January 2026, the Newcastle Jets are sitting in a surprisingly decent 3rd spot with 21 points, while Adelaide United is breathing down their necks in 7th with 19 points. One bad weekend for Newcastle and one clinical performance from the Reds, and the whole mid-table hierarchy flips upside down.
The Current State of Newcastle Jets vs Adelaide United
The Jets are a weird team this year. They’ve scored 26 goals—the highest in the league—but they’ve also conceded 24. It’s basically "vibes and attack" football under their current setup. They’ll beat Auckland FC 3-1 on New Year's Day and then lose a 5-4 heartbreaker to Macarthur just a week later. You never know which version of the Jets is going to show up to the No.2 Sportsground or McDonald Jones Stadium.
Adelaide, on the other hand, is trying to find their soul again. They’ve had some big moments, like that 4-1 demolition of Melbourne City, but they've been plagued by inconsistency. They’re currently the "draw specialists" or the team that loses by a single goal in the 89th minute.
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The head-to-head record historically leans toward the Reds. Adelaide has 22 wins to Newcastle's 12, with 10 draws scattered in between. But history doesn't account for the current form of players like James Delianov. In a move that still stings for some fans in the City of Churches, Delianov moved from Adelaide to Newcastle, trading the red jersey for the gold. Having a keeper who knows the exact shooting habits of his former teammates adds a psychological layer to this match that most tactical previews ignore.
Why Nobody is Talking About the Tactical Shift
Most analysts look at the formation—usually a 4-3-3 for Adelaide and a more fluid 4-2-3-1 for the Jets—but the real battle is in the transition.
Newcastle is playing a high-risk game. They push their fullbacks so high they might as well be wingers. This leaves huge gaps for Adelaide’s pacey wide players to exploit. If the Reds can win the ball in the middle third, the Jets' defense is basically a "choose your own adventure" book for attackers.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Fixture
There’s this persistent myth that the Jets are the "underdogs" in this matchup. Maybe a decade ago, sure. But in the 2025/26 season, the Jets are actually the aggressors. They have more wins (7) than Adelaide (6) so far this season.
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People also forget the Australia Cup history. Just last year, in July 2025, the Jets knocked Adelaide out with a 2-1 win in the Round of 32. That loss lingered. It wasn't just a pre-season tournament result; it set a tone of "we aren't scared of you" that Newcastle has carried into the league.
The A-League Women's side of this rivalry is just as spicy. We just saw a 1-1 draw where Charlotte Lancaster saved the Jets with a 90+1' screamer. Whether it's the men or the women, these two clubs cannot seem to play a boring game lately. It's like there's a magnetic field over the pitch that prevents the ball from staying in the midfield for more than five seconds.
The Delianov Factor
You can't write about Newcastle Jets vs Adelaide United without mentioning James Delianov. 60 appearances for the Reds. He knows how the grass feels at Coopers Stadium. He knows how the strikers think. Seeing him line up against his old club is the kind of drama that makes the A-League great. It’s personal.
Keys to the Next Matchup
If you're watching the upcoming clash on February 8th at Coopers Stadium, or the return leg in April, watch these three things:
- The First 15 Minutes: Newcastle tends to fly out of the blocks. If they don't score early, they get frustrated and start committing silly fouls.
- The Midfield Pivot: Adelaide needs to control the tempo. If the game becomes a track meet, Newcastle wins. If it becomes a chess match, Adelaide wins.
- Set Pieces: With both teams showing defensive frailties this season, a scrappy corner goal is likely to be the difference.
The standings are so tight right now that every goal feels like it’s worth six points. Sydney FC and Auckland FC are currently leading the pack, but the Jets are the only ones scoring at a rate that suggests they could actually catch them. Adelaide is fighting just to stay in the top six.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Punters
Don't bet on a clean sheet. Both teams have defensive structures that are... let's call them "porous." Newcastle has conceded in almost every game this season despite their high ladder position.
Watch the injury reports for the Jets' frontline. Their high-scoring record is heavily dependent on two key players staying fit. If they lose that attacking edge, their defensive issues will be exposed even further.
Keep an eye on the young talent coming through the Adelaide academy. Theo Tsiounis has been praising the growth and resilience of his younger players lately, and we might see some fresh faces in the starting XI as the season enters the final stretch.
The next few weeks will define the season for both clubs. If the Jets can maintain their 3rd place spot, it’ll be their best finish in years. If Adelaide can't find some consistency, they risk falling out of the finals race entirely. This isn't just another game on the calendar; it's a crossroads.
Next Steps for Following the A-League 2025/26 Season:
- Check the Live Ladder: Given how frequently positions are swapping between 3rd and 8th, keep the official A-Leagues app handy.
- Watch the Replays: If you missed the January 21st clash between the women’s sides, find the highlights of Lancaster’s stoppage-time goal—it’s a genuine contender for goal of the season.
- Monitor the Delianov Stats: Track how many saves the former Reds keeper makes against his old side; it's the ultimate "revenge" metric.
- Plan for February 8th: Mark the Coopers Stadium return on your calendar, as that match will likely determine who holds the tie-breaker advantage heading into the finals.