Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners have both been managing a range of injuries and did well to return to the winners’ circle last week.
Date: Saturday November 1
Kick-off: 7pm local
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
TV and Radio: Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and delayed coverage on Sky Sport 3. Hyundai A-League club radio broadcast partner is Coast FM (Gosford) 96.3FM . To purchase tickets visit www.premier.ticketek.com.au.
Head-to-head
Past 11 Hyundai A-League meetings: Sydney FC – 6 wins, Central Coast – 3 win, Draws – 2.
Previous meeting
Central Coast Mariners 2, Sydney FC 3, Bluetongue Stadium, Round 2, August 23, 2008
Past Five Games
Sydney FC:
Round 5: Sydney FC 3, Adelaide United 0, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 6: Wellington FC 2, Sydney FC 1, Westpac Stadium
Round 7: Sydney FC 1, Queensland Roar 1, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 8: Perth Glory 2, Sydney FC 1, Members Equity Stadium
Round 9: Melbourne Victory 0, Sydney FC 2, Telstra Dome
Central Coast:
Round 5: Central Coast Mariners 2, Melbourne Victory 2, Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Round 6: Central Coast Mariners 4, Perth Glory 1, Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Round 7: Adelaide United 3, Central Coast Mariners 3, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 8: Central Coast Mariners 0, Wellington Phoenix 1, Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Round 9: Central Coast Mariners 1, Newcastle Jets 0, Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Analysis
Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners have both been managing a range of injuries and did well to return to the winners’ circle last week.
The Sky Blues enjoyed a rare win over Melbourne Victory but lost Brendon Santalab in the process. He hurt his shoulder and will be out for eight weeks.
Clint Bolton (neck) and Alex Brosque (hamstring) are still on the comeback trail while Iain Fyfe has another week to serve on his suspension.
For the Mariners, the dangerous Mile Jedinak has been included in the squad after missing last week with a groin strain while defenders Nigel Boogaard (concussion) and Andrew Clark (shoulder) have put their niggles behind them and are in contention too.
Some of these players maybe in doubt however with Lawrie McKinna naming a bigger squad than usual.
Sydney’s win over Melbourne was just the boost John Kosmina’s boys needed. In the three weeks prior to that result, they recorded two losses against bottom sides and drew with the Queensland Roar.
Importantly their two goals came from their under-performing recruits John Aloisi and Mark Bridge and its hoped they’ll blossom after their success.
Meanwhile Central Coast striker Dylan Macallister capped his first start of the Hyundai A-League season with a well-taken winner in the Mariners’ victory over Newcastle.
Macallister has been used as a substitute throughout the campaign but highlighted his credentials with the winner in the 33rd minute at Bluetongue Stadium. Expect him to get more game time this weekend as the visitors go on the attack.
Macallister is not a lone hand up forward, with fellow attacking team-mates Sasho Petrovski, Matt Simon, and Nik Mrdja set to pounce on Saturday.
Regardless of which side wins, supporters could be in store for a high-scoring contest with the Mariners bagging 17 goals this season while Sydney has netted 16 after nine rounds. And it was a 3-2 result in Sydney’s favour the last two times the teams met, while no one could forget last year’s classic 5-4 Christmas contest.
Both squads have plenty to play for too with Sydney a chance of claiming top spot while Central Coast could slip into second if results fall its way.
Expect Sydney to continue its resurgence against a determined opposition.
Sydney FC Squad. 5. Mitchell PRENTICE, 7. Rob MIDDLEBY, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 10. Steve CORICA (c), 12. Shannon COLE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN, 18. Adam CASEY, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Adam BIDDLE, 23. John ALOISI, 28. Bobby PETTA, 29. Beau BUSCH, 30. John FILAN, 31. Anthony GOLEC.
In. Adam Biddle (promoted).
Out. Brendon Santalab (shoulder – 6 weeks).
Unavailable. Clint Bolton (neck – 1 week), Alex Brosque (hamstring – 1 week), Simon Colosimo (groin – 5 weeks), Mike Enfield (knee – indefinite), Iain Fyfe (suspended – 1 week), Jacob Timpano (ankle – 3 weeks), Nik Tsattalios (International Duty – Young Socceroos).
Central Coast Mariners Squad. 1. Matthew NASH (gk), 2. Andre GUMPRECHT, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Bradley PORTER, 6. David D’APUZZO, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 9. Nik MRDJA, 10. Adrian CACERES, 11. Dylan MACALLISTER, 12. Greg OWENS, 13. Paul O’GRADY, 15. Andrew CLARK, 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 17. Matthew OSMAN, 18. Alex WILKINSON, 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22. Sasho PETROVSKI, 23. Mile JEDINAK, 24. Andrea MERENDA, 26. Chris TADROSSE.
*six to be omitted
In. 12. Greg OWENS (Promoted), 15. Andrew CLARK (Returns from Injury), 16. Nigel BOOGAARD (Returns from Injury), 23. Mile JEDINAK (Returns from Injury), 24. Andrea MERENDA (Promoted), 26. Chris TADROSSE (Promoted).
Out. Nil.
Unavailable. 8. Dean HEFFERNAN (Leg – Indefinite), 21. Ahmad ELRICH (Knee – Season), 30. Andrew REDMAYNE (International Duty – Qantas Young Socceroos).
