📊 Form Guide

Western United

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Western United, following on from their previous result, will be hoping for more of the same after a 4-2 A-League triumph against Macarthur FC.

In that game, Western United managed 49% possession and 26 shots on goal with 10 on target. For Western United, the goalscorers were Riku Danzaki (52'), Michael Ruhs (56', 66') and Matthew Grimaldi (59'). On the other side, Macarthur FC had 20 attempts at goal with 5 on target. Valère Germain (17') and Ulises Dávila (24') scored for Macarthur FC.

It’s been all too rare in recent times that Western United have managed to hold out for a full 90 minutes. The facts show that Western United have failed to prevent opponents from scoring in 5 of their previous 6 clashes, giving up 11 goals in the process.

Taking a look at their past results, Western United:

• have not emerged victorious against Central Coast Mariners in home games against them for the last 2 league matches.
• have not emerged victorious against Central Coast Mariners in their last 6 league matches.
• are undefeated in their last 5 league matches at home.

Central Coast Mariners

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Central Coast Mariners will come into the game following a 2-1 A-League win vs Wellington Phoenix in their last match.

In that match, Central Coast Mariners had 62% possession and 23 shots on goal with 6 of them on target. For Central Coast Mariners, goals were scored by Ángel Torres (61') and Mikael Doka (91'). At the other end, Wellington Phoenix had 9 shots at goal with 4 of them on target. Ben Old (78') scored for Wellington Phoenix.

A succession of hard-working performances from the Central Coast Mariners defence has seen their ‘goals against’ tally amounting to 4 from their last 6 outings combined. During the same period, their own attack force has managed to score 9. Despite that, we’ll just have to find out whether such a trend shall be maintained in this game or not.

👥 Head to head

A review of past results between these clubs going back to 05/06/2021 shows that these fixtures have not been good ones for Western United. They have not been able to get any wins at all whereas Central Coast Mariners have dominated them, beating them in 83% of those ties.

A combined sum of 20 goals were scored between the two sides throughout the course of those matches, with 4 for The West and 16 belonging to Mariners. That’s an average goals per game figure of 3.33.

The last league game between these sides was A-League match day 7 on 08/12/2023 which finished with the scoreline of Central Coast Mariners 4-0 Western United.

That time, Central Coast Mariners managed 43% possession and 23 attempts on goal with 8 on target. Goals were scored by Dan Hall (11'), Brian Kaltak (24'), Marco Túlio (44') and Alou Kuol (82').

Western United got 11 shots at goal with 1 on target.

The referee was Adam Kersey.

📋 Team News: Western United

Nikita Rukavytsya (unknown injury), Jacob Tratt (Torn knee ligaments), Rhys Bozinovski (unknown injury), Ramy Najjarine (Shoulder injury) and Noah Botic (Stress reaction of the bone) will not be able to play for Western United boss John Aloisi. Suspended players who are serving a ban for this game are Josh Risdon and Tomoki Imai.

In all likelihood, The West will possibly go for a 4-2-3-1 system for the game with Thomas Heward-Belle, Khoder Kaddour, James Donachie, Kane Vidmar, Benjamin Garuccio, Sebastian Pasquali, Angus Thurgate, Lachlan Wales, Matthew Grimaldi, Riku Danzaki and Michael Ruhs.

🗞️ Team News: Central Coast Mariners

Central Coast Mariners manager Mark Jackson has multiple availability issues to deal with. Sasha Kuzevski (Knee injury) and Noah Smith (unknown injury) are not ready for selection. Ineligible players who cannot play in this game through suspension are Jacob Farrell and Alou Kuol.

From our viewpoint, Mariners will likely utilise a 4-4-2 lineup, giving starts to Danny Vukovic, Storm Roux, Daniel Hall, Brian Kaltak, Harrison Steele, Mikael, Brad Tapp, Maximilien Balard, Angel Torres, Jing Reec and Joshua Nisbet.

💡 Prediction

We envisage that Western United are likely to put a goal past this Central Coast Mariners outfit, although just one goal likely won’t be as many as they’ll concede.

We’re therefore tipping a very close game with a 1-2 victory for Central Coast Mariners at full-time. It’s a very tough call.

Our expert partners are tipping over 1.5 goals for this match. Check out their VIP predictions here.

Lucas Pereira, 05:07 13/04/2024