Adelaide United are on the cusp of a maiden Liberty A-League finals appearance, and can take a significant step toward achieving that goal with a record fourth straight win when they take on Perth Glory at Central Coast Stadium on Thursday night.
This Liberty A-League clash between two finals aspirants is the first of a double-header on the Central Coast, with the Mariners hosting Macarthur FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League in the aftermath of Perth v Adelaide (see preview below).
Adrian Stenta’s side have won three on the trot without conceding a goal. They’re one of the in-form teams in the league, with third spot on the table just reward for the purple patch of form.
You can put Perth in a similar category to the Reds, as Alex Epakis guides last season’s wooden spooners on a commendable run of form made all the more impressive by his side’s displacement in New South Wales.
Glory are unbeaten in four league games, and on the cusp of the top four themselves. A win over the Reds would put Perth on level points with their Thursday night opponents, and Melbourne Victory in fourth.
Key stat: Adelaide United are undefeated in their last seven Liberty A-League matches against Perth Glory (W5, D2) and have won each of their last three meetings – their longest winning run against the Glory in the history of the competition.
Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Thursday, February 10 2022
Central Coast Stadium
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
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In the Isuzu UTE A-League, Central Coast return to league action after suffering FFA Cup final heartbreak in a 2-1 loss to Melbourne Victory on the weekend.
The Mariners have ground to make up on the rest of the pack, having played just seven league fixtures to date – the equal least of any team in the competition. Nick Montgomery’s side are the only team not to have registered a draw this season, with three wins and four losses on the board to date.
Macarthur, meanwhile, tick toward two months without a win in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Fixture postponements have added to the length of the drought which began after the Bulls’ 2-1 win over Newcastle on December 19. Ante Milicic’s side have since lost twice and drawn once to slip off top spot and into sixth on the table.
Key stat: Macarthur FC have won each of their last two Isuzu UTE A-League matches against the Central Coast Mariners, after losing all their three meetings prior; the Bulls have kept a clean sheet on the day in each of their last two meetings.
Central Coast Mariners v Macarthur FC
Thursday, February 10 2022
Central Coast Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
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