Competition: A-League
Market: Central Coast Mariners win
Odds: 12/11 @ Pribet
Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the A-League table, Central Coast will travel to the Newcastle Jets on Saturday morning.
Starting with the hosts, while Newcastle might have eventually snatched a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against Macarthur last week, the Jets find themselves at the heart of another public A-League crisis this season. Once again battling it out at the foot of the table and rightfully coming under plenty of scrutiny, Robert Stanton has seen his squad fail to win any of their previous five A-League showdowns on the bounce. Likewise, aside from a much-needed 3-1 victory against Brisbane last month, that is the only domestic win that they have collected from their previous nine appearances – a run that stems all the way back to December 30th. Already accepting that they will be unable to punch a Final Series ticket in 2024, the former Sydney coach will also be concerned by his side’s rather glaring defensive issues. Including a 2-1 defeat at home against Wellington on January 27th, Newcastle have shipped 10 goals on their five-match losing run.
As for the visitors, extending on their AFC Cup adventure on February 22nd following a thrilling 3-2 victory away at Macarthur, Central Coast are in the midst of an extended fairytale. With the mood in Mark Jackson’s camp at a red-hot high, the Mariners will be desperate to make another domestic statement here. Opening Saturday’s showdown sat just three points adrift of finding a route back to the top of the A-League table, the former MK Dons boss has seen his squad win all of their previous four appearances on the spin. Riding what has been an extended wave of momentum and continuing to receive a string of plaudits, Central Coast will also be excited by a stellar record against Newcastle. Including a 3-1 victory when they welcomed Saturday’s guests to Insustree Group Stadium back on November 25th, they have won all of their previous three meetings by an aggregate score of 9-2. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, we are backing an enjoyable away victory here.
Bet: Central Coast Mariners 12/11 to beat Newcastle Jets in Saturday’s A-League battle @ Pribet
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