With the Mariners and Roar both shipping four goals without reply last weekend it’ll be a case of who can bounce back stronger in Gosford on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday, 22 October 2016
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar FC
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-Off: 5:35PM (Local) (5:35PM (AEDT))
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher
Assistant Referee 2: Scott Edeling
Fourth Official: Stephen Lucas
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 92.5 ABC Central Coast, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live, Crocmedia A-League Live (www.facebook.com/A-leagueLIVERadio), EON Sports Radio (eonsportsradio.com), Coast FM 96.3
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #CCMvBRI
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 6.Blake POWELL, 7.Fabio FERREIRA, 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (c), 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 10.Mickael TAVARES, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 13.Kwabena APPIAH, 14.Adam BERRY, 15.Brad McDONALD, 17.Josh BINGHAM, 19.Jacques FATY, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 21.Michael NEILL, 22.Jake McGING, 25.Ryan PETERSON
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 7.Fabio FERREIRA (return from injury), 15.Brad McDONALD (promoted), 17.Josh BINGHAM (promoted)
Outs: 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO (quad strain – 1 week)
Unavailable: 16.Liam ROSE (international duty – 2 weeks), 23.Jake ADELSON (ACL – indefinite)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Michael THEO (gk), 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 5.Corey BROWN, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Brett HOLMAN, 11.Tommy OAR, 13.Jade NORTH, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 26.Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 33.Joey KATEBIAN
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 17.Matt MCKAY (returns from suspension), 33.Joey KATEBIAN (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 23.Dimitri PETRATOS (ankle – 1 week), 24.Connor O’TOOLE (international duty – 2 weeks)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
The Mariners and Roar staged second-half comebacks to earn a point in Round 1 but that endeavour counted for little last weekend with both sides suffering 4-0 defeats.
Paul Okon and John Aloisi were both quick to point out that the scoreboard was not a true reflection of their contests but they’ll be eager nonetheless to turn the page on these results.
Despite only being two rounds into the new season it’s evident Central Coast have vastly changed their style under Okon.
The Mariners boast the highest possession rate of any team in the competition but have been letting themselves down with some schoolboy errors at the back.
This is their only home game over the first five rounds so no doubt they’ll be eager to put in a strong performance for the Central Coast faithful.
Having built Suncorp into a fortress Brisbane need to find a way to win on the road if they’re to again be challenging for silverware this season.
They only claimed three points twice on their travels last season and worryingly have conceded nine goals across their last two away matches.
No doubt they’ll be boosted by the return of skipper Matt McKay and the knowledge that they’ve had the Mariners’ measure in recent times.
OPTA DATA
- Brisbane Roar have won five straight matches versus Central Coast Mariners.
- Central Coast Mariners find themselves on a 12 game winless streak (D2 L10).
- Mariners (65%) and Roar (63.8%) both recorded a much higher share of possession last weekend in their respective games, yet they both succumbed to 4-0 defeats.
ROUTE TO GOAL
The Mariners will be buoyed by the return of Portuguese flyer Fabio Ferreira and with speedsters Blake Powell, Connor Pain and Trent Buhagiar also among their midfield ranks it’s a front five that’s capable and pacey.
Frontman Roy O’Donovan will again be key, with the Irish central striker banking a double in Round 1 and a real focal point for Okon’s rejigged attacking third.
Can the Mariners expose Roar’s attacking full backs Brown and Hingert? The battle down the flanks will be key.
For Roar, Tommy Oar came close to netting his first goal on his return to Roar last weekend, while former Socceroo Brett Holman and last season’s NAB young footballer of the year Jamie Maclaren both are capable of hurting the Mariners defence.
Expect goals in Gosford.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Scott Galloway. The 21-year-old defender signed with the Mariners this week after being released by Melbourne Victory and could find himself thrust straight into Paul Okon’s squad.
FORM LINES
Central Coast Mariners: DL
Brisbane Roar: DL
PREDICTION
Mariners 2 – 2 Roar
