Bitesize Prediction: Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory – 31/12/23

Competition: A-League

Market: Central Coast Mariners win

Odds: 4/7 @ BetUS

Looking to extend on their A-League romp, Central Coast will welcome Perth Glory to the Industree Group Stadium on Sunday morning.

Starting with the hosts, while Central Coast might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of a real struggle, the Mariners have come roaring back in some style. Last seen putting in another thumping display as they cruised their way to a 3-0 romp away at Brisbane, it appears that the mood in Mark Jackson’s camp is at a red-hot high. Firing on all cylinders and extended on their AFC Cup adventure earlier in the month, the former MK Dons boss will be calling on his squad to make a New Year’s Eve statement here. In fact, with their recent purple patch underlined by a 4-0 victory against Western United on December 8th, Central Coast are unbeaten in all of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Gaining a reputation for their free-scoring performances on home soil, Jackson’s men have notched a stunning 19 strikes on their seven-match flurry. Likewise, not suffering a single defeat at the Industree Group Stadium since back on November 12th, the Mariners are rightfully tipped as a standout contender on Sunday morning.

As for the visitors, managing to make a crucial return to winning ways last week as they secured an action-packed 3-2 victory against Macarthur, Perth will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, showing a string of issues since opening up the 2023/24 campaign and battling it out at the foot of the A-League standings, Alen Stajicic’s men have collected just eight points from their first nine top-flight appearances this season. Likewise, enduring a four-match losing run on either side of November’s international break, the former Central Coast boss will be bracing himself for a stern return to New South Wales on New Year’s Eve. In fact, along with opening December with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of A-League giants Sydney, Perth have collected just a single point from their opening five contests away from HBF Park. Shipping over 1.5 goals in all of their first five away fixtures, Stajicic’s side are deservedly tipped as a clear underdog on Sunday morning.

Bet: Central Coast Mariners 4/7 to beat Perth Glory in Sunday’s A-League showdown @ BetUS