Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory predictions for Friday's A-League game
Both teams have strong scoring records; likely goals from both sides
Recent history suggests potential for another draw
Tip: Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory | Odds |
BTTS Yes Both Teams To Score | @1.78 |
Draw Full-Time Result | @3.25 |
1-1 Draw Correct Score | @7.00 |
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Preview
Central Coast Mariners host Melbourne Victory in a Grand Final rematch to get the new 2024/25 A-League season underway. A draw offers value with both teams to score also tipped.
Central Coast Mariners have scored in 13 of their last 14 games
Central Coast Mariners have drawn 5 of the last 6 home matches against Melbourne Victory
Central Coast Mariners have seen BTTS in 16 of the last 19 matches against Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory have scored in 9 of their last 11 games
Head To Head
Victory have only won one of the last seven meetings between the teams, with three of the last four encounters ending in a draw after 90 minutes.
Central Coast scored an equaliser in the 91st minute of last season's Grand Final before closing out a 3-1 win in extra-time.
Victory haven't won in Gosford since 2019, with five of the last six meetings at Central Coast Stadium resulting in a draw after 90 minutes.
Central Coast Mariners Form
The Mariners made it back-to-back A-League Grand Final triumphs in stunning fashion last season, with Ryan Edmundson forcing the game into extra-time with a 91st minute equaliser before Miguel De Pizio put Central Coast in front.
Edmundson then iced the game with his second strike, handing his side a 3-1 win over Victory.
The Mariners have struggled in their limited games since that famous night in Gosford and there are question marks surrounding them heading into this season opener.
Central Coast have lost all three matches since securing the silverware last term, including bowing out in the R32 of the Australia Cup against NPL Victoria side Heidelberg United.
The Mariners have also lost both of their Asian Champions League games against Shandong and Buriram.
Central Coast Mariners Team News
Departures to key players in Josh Nisbett and Jacob Farrell is also a big loss for the Mariners, who have brought in Northern Ireland international Alfie McCalmont and Brazilian striker Vitor Feijao as
reinforcements.
Melbourne Victory Form
Victory have suffered two heartbreaking defeats in finals over the course of the last five months, while they have also seen Tony Popovic move on as manager with Patrick Kisnorbo taking charge.
The 3-1 loss to the Mariners in the A-League Grand Final was hard enough to take, but Victory then fumbled the Australia Cup final as huge pre-match favourites against Macarthur. They lost 1-0 despite having 63 per cent of possession and 21 total shots to five.
That defeat was marred in controversy as Kisnorbo opted to leave star winger Daniel Arzani out of the matchday squad as he wasn't going to be available for Round 1 of the A-League due to suspension.
Melbourne Victory Team News
Victory have made some solid signings over the off-season, including bringing in former Olympiakos and Panathinaikos striker Nikos Vergos.
The 23-year-old Brazilian winger Clarismario Santos Rodrigues, who played for AEK Larnaca in the Cypriot top flight last season, has also joined.