This Thursday, Central Coast Mariners will welcome Macarthur FC to Gosford for the rescheduled seventh-round game of the 2021/22 A-League season.
Venue: Central Coast Stadium (Gosford)
Key Statistics
Central Coast Mariners have conceded two or more goals in each of their last three games.
The hosts have lost three of their last five league games (W2).
They are averaging 1.43 goals per league game this season. Their defence is also conceding 1.43 goals on average this season.
Macarthur FC are winless in their last three league games (D1, L2).
They have won two out of three away league games this season.
Head to head
In five head-to-head meetings between both sides, Central Coast Mariners have won three times while Macarthur FC have won just once.
Latest performances in all competitions
Central Coast Mariners: L-L-L-W-W
Macarthur FC: L-D-L-W-W
Central Coast Mariners
After suffering heartbreak at the FFA Cup final, Central Coast Mariners will turn their attention on the A-League when they welcome Macarthur FC to Gosford on Thursday.
On Saturday, the hosts come into this tie on the back of a disappointing 2-1 to Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup final. The match, which was held at the Marvel Stadium, saw Victory race into a two-goal lead after second-half goals from Jason Davidson and Christopher Oikonomidis. Oliver Bozanic scored in the dying moments of the game for the Mariners, but his goal ended up being just a consolation.
The loss was Mariner’s third consecutive loss in all competitions and continued a woeful run of form in all competitions for Nick Montgomery’s side. Before going on their latest three-game losing run, the hosts won four on the bounce in all competitions, showing that their recent slump can indeed be arrested.
They are currently sitting in eighth place and will fancy their chances of winning this game given their dominant record in this fixture historically.
Possible Central Coast Mariners starting line-up
Mark Birighitti; Jacob Farrell, Kye Rowles, Lewis Miller, Storm Roux; Max Balard, Oliver Bozanic, Beni N’Kololo, Josh Nisbet; Marco Urena, Moresche.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Macarthur FC
Macarthur FC will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Gosford on Thursday.
The visitors come into this game on the back of a 3-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix. The loss extended their winless run in the league to three games (D1, L2) and pushed them further down the table into sixth.
Just a few weeks back, they were sitting in the top two places after winning five league games in a row and going six league games unbeaten. They have collected 14 points this season and are currently trailing the Western United at the top of the table by five points.
Their place within the top six looks secure, as they are currently four points ahead of Wellington Phoenix in seventh. But that lead can be whipped out with a few poor results. They will look to avoid such outcomes, though, as they aim to keep their place within the top six.
Possible Macarthur FC starting line-up
Nicholas Suban; Aleksandar Susnjar, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Tomislav Uskok; James Meredith, Charles M’Mombwa, Jordon Mutch, Craig Noone; Daniel De Silva, Lachlan Ross, Ulises Davila.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
CC Mariners 2-2 Macarthur FC
