Bitesize Prediction: Melbourne City vs Central Coast Mariners – 22/02/22

Competition: A-League

Market: Melbourne City win

Odds: 1/2 @ 888sport

Two sides who really find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the A-League table, Melbourne City will host the Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday morning.

Starting with the hosts, managing to make an immediate return to winning ways with a thumping display over the weekend, Melbourne City should be smelling another golden chance here. Breezing their way past the Newcastle Jets thanks to a 3-0 win on home soil, the Blues have their sights firmly set on reclaiming their A-League crown this season. Opening up Tuesday’s meeting at AAMI Park sat just a single point adrift of leaders Western United, Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo has seen his side muster nine points from their last four outings. Managing to prove that their 2-1 loss against Adelaide earlier in the month was just a minor blip, Melbourne will be boosted by a rampant record against the midweek guests. Claiming a 3-1 victory when the two sides faced off on January 23rd, they have lost just one of their last seven showdowns against the Mariners.

As for the visitors, while Melbourne might find themselves battling it out at the top of the A-League table, Central Coast are enduring their own scrap at the other end. Despite shocking many across the A-League last season as they clinched a third-place finish, Nick Montgomery’s men have largely failed to build off of that momentum. Last seen over the weekend getting hit with a last-gasp 1-0 loss away at Melbourne Victory, the Mariners have failed to win any of their previous six outings, a run that stems back to January 18th. With just their goal difference stopping them from falling to the foot of the standings, there is no doubt that Central Coast should be bracing themselves for a tough task at AAMI Park here. Given the recent gulf in class, we’re backing a fairly routine home victory on Tuesday morning.

Bet: Melbourne City 1/2 to beat Central Coast Mariners in Tuesday’s A-League battle @ 888sport