Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne City Preview: Team News & Prediction

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The Central Coast Mariners have struggled with just two wins in their opening nine matches as they now prepare to take on a strong but mid-table Melbourne City side this weekend.

Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 31st December, 2024: UK – 8:00am / US ET – 3:00am / US PT – 12:00am

How to watch on TV/online: UK – YouTube / US – ESPN / Australia – Paramount+

Central Coast Mariners Team News: Di Pizio may return

Right winger Miguel Di Pizio may return to the side for this week after undergoing knee surgery but the Central Coast Mariners do have attacking absentees for this weekend such as Nicholas Duarte and former Leeds United forward Ryan Edmondson.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): Peraic-Cullen; Kaltack, Sainsbury, Paull; Roux, McCalmont, Steele, Eames, Mauragis; Kuol, Doka

Unavailable: Duarte (Injured), Edmondson (Injured)

Questionable: Di Pizio (Injured)

Melbourne City Team News: Injury crisis

Melbourne City have something of an injury crisis ahead of this weekend with centre-back Jordan Necovski absent alongside key men such as James Jeggo, Alessandro Lopane, Max Caputo and Australia international attackers Mathew Leckie and Andrew Nabbout.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Beach; Atkinson, Trewin, Souprayen, Behich; Ugarkovic, Schreiber; Cohen, Rahmani, Politidis; Memeti

Unavailable: Necovski (Injured), Jeggo (Injured), Kuen (Injured), Lopane (Injured), Leckie (Injured), Tilio (Injured), Nabbout (Injured), Caputo (Injured)

Questionable: 

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne City Prediction

The Central Coast Mariners, after finishing at the top-of-the-table at the end of last year’s regular season, have underperformed throughout this campaign and they come into this one on the back of being hammered by league leaders Auckland by four goals to one at the weekend. They now face a Melbourne City side that managed to earn themselves a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory in the derby in their most recent outing before Christmas. However, with the amount of injuries that they have, as well as their home advantage, a double chance bet in favour of the Central Coast Mariners would appear a good value bet for this one.

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne City Tip: Double chance – Central Coast Mariners to win or draw