Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners Preview

Friday’s A-League action forecasts a mid-table clash, as 8th place Western Sydney Wanderers face off against 10th placed Central Coast Mariners as they both look to improve their table position.

A win for Western Sydney could see them move to as high as fifth if other results go in their favour, while the Mariners can only jump up one place to ninth.

It is worth noting that the Wanderers have the second best attacking record in the division so far this season, scoring 28 goals in just 12 games so far. The top scoring team is fourth placed Sydney FC, who have netted just one more.

As a crucial game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Western Sydney have bagged 13 goals in their last five games, winning three and drawing one in the process.
• However, their 23 goals conceded is the worst defensive record outside of the bottom two, and is the main driver behind their poor league position.
• Central Coast Mariners have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 games.
• The away side is averaging one goal per game, the second worst scoring record in the league behind 11th placed Perth Glory, who have netted nine times.

Western Sydney Wanderers Preview

Western Sydney Wanderers Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Lawrence Thomas (GK); Jack Clisby, Alex Bonetig, Joshua Brillante, Anthony Pantazopoulos; Bozhidar Kraev,Oscar Priestman, Juan Mata, Nicolas Milanovic; Brandon Borrello, Zachary Sapsford.

In a way, Western Sydney will look at the table and feel hard done by when they see their position. They have been exceptional in attack, and they have frequently pushed the top teams to their absolute limit.

However, their defence has let them down on a number of occasions. They have kept just one clean sheet in the league this season, which came in a 2-0 win over Melbourne City in November. It says a lot that they have conceded two or more goals in 7 of their 12 league games so far this campaign.

However, their attack has plenty of talent to make up for their defensive shortcomings. They can boast the creative brilliance of Champions League winner Juan Mata in midfield, and forwards Nicolas Milanovic and Brandon Borrello are both having exceptional individual campaigns so far. If these attacking players can link up effectively once again, Wanderers should win despite their backline woes.

Central Coast Mariners Preview

Central Coast Mariners Predicted Lineup (3-4-3): Dylan Peraic-Cullen (GK); Trent Sainsbury, Brian Kaltak, Storm Roux; Mikael Doka, Harrison Steele, Alfie McCalmont, Vitor Feijao; Christian Theoharous, Alou Kuol, Arthur De Lima.

After serious struggles in front of goal early in the season, the Mariners have turned their goal scoring form around somewhat, netting seven of their 12 league goals in their last five games.

This has come from a shift away from the 4-4-2 formation they were using at the start of the season, as coach Mark Jackson has frequently tinkered with set-ups, which has seen them use 5-3-2, 3-4-1-2, and 4-2-3-1.

While it is never a bad thing to experiment with your starting lineup, the Mariners will at some point need to settle on a formation that they can train with and get used to, creating chemistry and an overall knowledge of their game plan, particularly ahead of a game as important as this. While it is certainly a point scoring opportunity for them, they still don’t have enough tactical familiarity to make a strong case for winning this one.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 18/02/2024: Mariners 1-0 Wanderers.
• 06/01/2024: Wanderers 0-1 Mariners.
• 04/03/2023: Wanderers 2-0 Mariners.
• 28/01/2023: Mariners 2-2 Wanderers.
• 05/11/2022: Wanderers 0-3 Mariners.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners Betting Tip

While Central Coast are gradually in the ascendancy, they still don’t have enough goal scoring firepower to come through this one as winners, particularly as the away side.

Western Sydney are a side that almost always perform better in the first half, so we are backing them to be leading at half time. Both teams are likely to score, but Wanderers will out-class their opponents and end up winning comfortably.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners Final Prediction

Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 Central Coast Mariners

The Mariners will level the game after going behind early on, but two goals either side of half time for Wanderers will see them rocket up the table.