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Defending champions Central Coast Mariners will welcome Melbourne Victory to Central Coast Stadium as they get their A-League campaign underway on Friday. The two teams met in the Grand Final in May, which the Mariners won 3-1, and Victory will look to avenge that loss here.
The hosts faced an early exit from the Australia Cup and were eliminated from the round of 32 by Heidelberg United in August. They have suffered defeats in their first two games of the AFC Champions League. Nonetheless, they played Wellington Phoenix in a friendly earlier this month and registered a 2-1 home win.
The visitors made it to the final of the Australia Cup and suffered a 1-0 loss to Macarthur last month. They played Western United in a friendly last week and suffered a 3-1 loss.
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Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have crossed paths 58 times in all competitions. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings with 26 wins. The Mariners have 16 wins and 16 games have ended in draws.
- The hosts went unbeaten in their four league meetings against Victory last season, with two wins and two draws.
- The reigning champions are on an eight-game unbeaten streak in the A-League, recording seven wins. They have scored at least two goals in seven games in that period.
- Melbourne Victory have won just one of their last A-League regular-season meetings against Central Coast Mariners, with three games ending in draws.
- The Mariners are unbeaten in their last six home meetings against Victory, with four games ending in draws.
- Five of the last eight meetings between the two teams have produced under 2.5 goals, with two clean sheets for the visitors and one for the Mariners.
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Prediction
The Mariners concluded their 2023-24 campaign on an eight-game unbeaten run but have suffered defeats in their three competitive games this season. Interestingly, they have scored one goal apiece in three games thus far and will look to improve upon that record. They have suffered just one loss in their last 13 home games in the A-League, recording nine wins, and are strong favorites.
Big V had a good run in the Australia Cup but suffered a defeat in the final last month. Their poor run continued in their pre-season friendly against Western United as they suffered a 3-1 loss.
Jason Geria and Nishan Velupillay were both in action against Japan on Tuesday for the Socceroos, and are doubts for this match. Mitchell Langerak will return to the club from Nagoya Grampus in January and is not an option for this match.
The Mariners have a good home form in the A-League and, considering their better recent record in this fixture, the defending champions should be able to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Melbourne Victory
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Central Coast Mariners to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Mikael Doka to score or assist any time - Yes
