Central Coast Mariners will play their last game of the regular season this Saturday when they host 10th-placed Western United.
Stadium: Central Coast (Gosford)
Key Statistics
Central Coast Mariners are on a two-game losing run at home. They have won just once in their last five home games. However, they have two wins from their last four games.
Western United are on a seven-game losing run. They have one win from their last 10 games They have scored just one goal in their last five away games
Central Coast Mariners
Despite a disappointing draw with Newcastle Jets in their last outing, Central Coast Mariners have secured their place in the final series thanks to Wellington Phoenix‘s inability to capitalise.
They head into the final game of the regular season, sure of more games and with a chance to put their recent blip behind in preparation for the series.
With 39 points on the board for them, Alen Stajcic’s side could still finish within the top three provided they win their game, and Brisbane Roar fails to win against Sydney FC.
They will now be hoping to take home a win in this tie and put a lid on a patchy run of form that is threatening to derail their largely successful season.
Lewis Miller and Gianni Stensness will be unable to play a part in this fixture.
Possible line-ups
Mark Birighitti; Jack Clisby, Kye Rowles, Ruon Tongyik, Stefan Nigro; Daniel Bouman, Josh Nisbet, Oliver Bozanic, Daniel De Silva; Alou Kuol, Marco Urena.
Western United
Western United saw their top-six hopes fade towards the end of the season after going eight games without a win—a run that began in early April.
Their poor form has seen them drop to 10th place in the A-League standings. They head into this tie with a point to prove having been designated the worst side in the league due to their awful record.
Away from home, the history have failed to score in their last three matches in a row and are going into this tie as the worst away team in the league this season.
Mark Rudan’s side have picked up just seven points out of the 36 they have contested at home this season. They will now be looking to correct that record and at least put some gloss to a largely unsuccessful season by taking home all three points in this game.
Dalibor Markovic is the only injury absentee for this tie
Possible line-ups
Ryan Scott; Andrew Durante, Dylan Pierias, Ivan Vujica; Steven Lustica, Victor Sanchez; Dylan Pierias, Tomoki Imai, Connor Pain, Alessandro Diamanti; Besart Berisha.
Betting Odds
Central Coast Mariners : Draw : Western United :: 1.60 : 4.20 :5.00
| Central Coast Mariners Goal | Western United Goal | Betting Odds |
| 1 | 1 | 8.00 |
| 1 | 0 | 8.50 |
| 2 | 0 | 8.50 |
| 2 | 1 | 8.50 |
| 3 | 0 | 12.00 |
| 3 | 1 | 12.00 |
Prediction
Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Western United
