Industry Group Stadium will host Saturday’s A-League match between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory. The game kicks off at 7.45pm and Central Coast Mariners go into the game as bookmakers’ favorites. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory game plus free tips and bets.
when: Saturday, May 25, 2024 7:45 PM
where: Industry Group Stadium
Bet💰: Bet on this match
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Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Winning Odds
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Preview
Central Coast Mariners
It would have been more than fair to expect a slight decline for the Mariners in 2023/24.
Ultimately, the previous season’s grand final-winning side disbanded, including the departures of manager Nick Montgomery and star striker Jason Cummings.
But the arrival of new coach Mark Jackson and some smart business, including the signing of defender Mikael Doka and former Mariners forward Alou Kuol, have helped them remain competitive.
Despite the added pressure of competing in the AFC Cup, which travels to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and India, the Mariners still found a way.
It was a rough start to the season, with them losing their first four domestic games, but following the November international break they were almost unstoppable on their way to the Premier Plate.
Their only two losses in those games came at the hands of Sydney FC, taking them to 55 points from 23 games.
After demolishing the Sky Blues in two closely contested games in the semi-finals, a home grand final now awaits the Mariners with a raucous crowd at their backs.
Melbourne Victory
It’s almost impossible to read anything real about Melbourne Victory. Sometimes they seem like a truly elite team, while at other times they seem like a team with no identity at all.
They started the season on a 15-game unbeaten run, but nine of those games were draws, preventing them from claiming the title properly.
But their ability to grind out results even when not at their best gave them some freedom and helped them to a third-place finish.
The result was an elimination final against local rivals Melbourne City, which was a sticky affair and of course a penalty kick was needed to separate the two teams.
After the derby, Victory faced the difficult prospect of a two-legged semi-final against Wellington and survived late drama at the Cake Tin to advance to the club’s seventh grand final.
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The Mariners’ 6-1 win last season was notable in itself, but another one-sided affair seems unlikely to materialize in this game, considering neither team has many hits on their resumes.
In fact, all three of Victory’s final matches ended in 90 minutes and were either 1-1 or 0-0 draws.
Only four of their regular season games ended with a margin of greater than one goal, the last being against Adelaide United on December 30.
Meanwhile, the Mariners will be very happy to pick up the win and the Unders certainly look to be in the game, having had two or fewer goals in two of their three regular season meetings.
And while a win that sets the tone for this game may suit their approach, the Mariners have shown the ability to win in a variety of styles.
We need only look to Alou Kuol to break the deadlock in 84 games and win the AFC Cup final.Day This is the moment that shows they can win ugly.
If a team has lost just two league games in six months, they are doing something right.
I have to take the Mariners and lift the trophy affectionately known as the Toilet Seat in front of their expectant fans at home.
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