Heidelberg vs Central Coast Mariners Prediction and Betting Tips | August 7th 2024

Heidelberg United welcome Central Coast Mariners to Olympic Park Stadium for an Australian Cup round-of-32 clash on Wednesday. The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Hume City at the same venue in the NPL Victoria.

They went ahead through Sabit James Ngor's third-minute strike while Aamir Abdallah drew the game level in the 56th minute.

Mariners, meanwhile, needed extra time to see off Melbourne Victory with a 3-1 victory in the final of the Australian A-League playoff. They went behind to Jason Geria's 50th-minute strike but Ryan Edmondson equalized in injury time. The 23-year-old went on to complete his brace in extra time after Miguel Di Pizio put them ahead to help the Yellow and Navy successfully defend their league crown.

Mark Jackson's side will turn their attention to the cup as they seek their first-ever Australian Cup triumph.

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Heidelberg vs Central Coast Mariners Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
• Central Coast Mariners are unbeaten in their last 11 games across competitions (nine wins).
• Eight of Heidelberg's last nine games have produced less than three goals.
• Five of Heidelberg's last six games have been level at halftime.
• Central Coast Mariners have won four of their last five away games (one draw).
• Heidelberg are unbeaten in their last 20 home games (12 wins).

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Heidelberg vs Central Coast Mariners Prediction

Heidelberg are the underdogs despite playing on home turf. However, they have been on a positive run of form in front of their fans and are unbeaten in home games for over a year. They currently compete at one level lower than their visitors but could spring an upset if underrated. Furthermore, their last seven home games have produced under 2.5 goals.

Central Coast Mariners have had a spectacular campaign this season. They claimed a maiden AFC Cup in May and were A-League Premiership and playoff champions. They will have their sights set on a maiden cup, with their best performance in this tournament coming in 2021 when they finished as runners-up.

We are backing the visitors to claim a comfortable victory with goals at both ends.

Prediction: Heidelberg 1-3 Central Coast Mariners

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Heidelberg vs Central Coast Mariners Betting Tips

Tip 1 - Central Coast Mariners to win

Tip 2 - Both teams to score

Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals

Tip 4 - Central Coast Mariners to score over 1.5 goals