Newcastle Jets 3/4 to beat Central Coast Mariners in Friday’s A-League showdown

Competition: A-League

Market: Newcastle Jets win

Odds: 3/4 @ 888sport

Hoping to build off of a stunning return to action earlier in the week, Newcastle Jets will make the trip to the Central Coast Stadium on Friday morning.

Starting with the hosts, marking their return from the enforced break with a sluggish 1-0 defeat against Perth, a contest they were hugely outplayed in, this year has been another woeful one for Central Coast. Last seen prior to the interruption shipping four goals at home against Melbourne City back in March, the Mariners have now lost their last 11 A-League appearances on the spin and are a shoo-in to lift the wooden spoon once again this year. Already sat seven-points adrift at the foot of the table, there is no doubt that Head Coach Alen Stajcic will have a real headache over his side’s glaring issues at the back. Failing to record a single clean sheet since the end of November, Fridays’ hosts have shipped 52 goals this season, 12 more than any side in the A-League.

As for the visitors, shocking many on their return to action earlier in the week, Newcastle appear to have left off from where they finished in March. Picking up an eye-catching 2-1 win away at league leaders Sydney on their return to action, the Jets have collected 12 points over their last five contests and are within striking distance of climbing into the top-six. Smelling a golden opportunity on Friday morning, Newcastle should also be boosted by what is a glittering record against the A-League strugglers. Including victory in what turned out to be a seven-goal thriller back in February, former Wales midfielder Carl Robinson’s men have won seven of their last eight meetings against the Mariners.

Bet: Newcastle Jets 3/4 to beat Central Coast Mariners in Friday’s A-League showdown @ 888sport