One team is looking to stop the rot, the other is aiming to continue their push for a top-two berth.
Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix may have different aspirations but they are both after the same thing on Sunday – a vital three points.
It’s been a tumultuous period for Alen Stajcic’s Mariners, currently on a seven-game losing streak which has them on course for another dreaded wooden spoon.
Sunday’s 6-2 shellacking at the hands of Western United FC may prove to be the final straw for Stajcic, who could ring the changes looking for a positive response.
In contrast, Phoenix are nicely positioned inside the top four and head to Gosford fresh from a week off courtesy of the bye.
Ufuk Talays’s side have won their last two matches on the bounce without conceding a goal and are playing some of the most entertaining football in the competition.
Sunday, 8 March 2020
Kick off: 4.00pm (AEDT)
Venue: Central Coast Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports
Stream: MyFootball App, Kayo Sports
BEST XI: Hyundai A-League Team of the Week – Round 21
HOW TO WATCH: Every Hyundai A-League match in Round 22
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Team news
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 2.Ian Zygmunt GORDON, 3.Jack CLISBY, 4. Eunsun KIM, 7. Milan ÐURIĆ, 8. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 9. Jordan MURRAY, 10. Tommy OAR, 11. Daniel DESILVA, 12. Adam PEARCE (gk), 15. Kye ROWLES, 17. Sam SILVERA, 18. Gianni STENSNESS, 19. Matt SIMON, 21. Ruon TONGYIK, 24. Chris HAROLD, 26. Joshua NISBET, 27. Lewis MILLER, 29. Jair BRITTO, 44. Alou KUOL **2-4 to be omitted**
In: 10.Tommy OAR (Promoted), 11.Daniel DESILVA (Return from Illness)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Promoted
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Stefan MARINOVIC (gk), 2.Liam McGING, 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI, 5.Matti STEINMANN, 6.Tim PAYNE, 7.Reno PISCOPO, 8.Cameron DEVLIN, 9. David BALL, 10.Ulises DAVILA, 11.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 12. Brandan Wilson, 13.Liberato CACACE, 14.Alex RUFER, 20.Oliver SAIL (gk), 21.Callum MCCOWATT, 27.Steven TAYLOR (c), 31.Ben WAINE, 32.Sam SUTTON, 88. Gary HOOPER **2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Liam McGING (Promoted), 31. Ben WAINE (Promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 16.Louis FENTON (Shoulder – season), 23.Walter SCOTT (Injury – Knee)
Did you know?
- Wellington Phoenix have won their last four Hyundai A-League matches in succession against the Central Coast Mariners and have averaged nearly four goals per game (3.8) in that stretch.
- The Mariners have lost each of their last three Hyundai A-League home matches, more than they lost in their seven matches prior on home turf (W4, D1, L2).
- Phoenix and the Mariners have each struck the woodwork nine times this Hyundai A-League campaign, the joint-most of any teams in the competition.
- Each of the Mariners’ last three goals scored on home turf in the Hyundai A-League have been penalties scored by Matt Simon; indeed, those three goals account for 75% of their home tally thus far in 2020.
Tipping
