Preview
Central Coast Mariners make the short trip down the F1 to take on Sydney FC on Saturday night. In previous seasons this fixture has provided fans with memorable encounters. This time round, both sides are struggling for form and consistency.
Recent results have seen Sydney FC crash out of the Top 6. For a club that spends big on players, they have under-delivered all season. Four points from the past 5 games, including a demolition at the hands of Brisbane Roar, has brought the squad much criticism.
Matt Thompson, Nick Carle, Marc Warren, Pedj Bojic and arguably Alessandro Del Piero are playing average football. That’s half of the starting XI. What magnifies this is the fact that formations and structures change week to week while the match day squad has not been on form at any point during the season.
This is not a pretty side to watch and the fans are beginning to make noises again. Frank Farina’s capitulation in last week’s Sydney Derby has many wondering what goes through his head. Del Piero wasn’t happy at being substituted as the Fox Sports cameras captured. It will be interesting to see what Farina does this week.
Central Coast haven’t had a good time in recent weeks either. Phil Moss seems to be still struggling with finding his ideal XI, while other disruptions will test the Champions’ mettle.
Moss has overseen a championship-winning side that is in contrast to their form of last season. Not helping their cause is the recent departure of key player Michael Glinchey. They have also lost Marcos Flores to injury.
Arguably the loss of McGlinchey is bigger than Flores. Flores has struggled at times this season despite playing in his preferred role as the number 10.
Meanwhile, fan favourites Daniel McBreen and Mat Simon have also struggled. Neither is in the kind of form that helped the former win the Golden Boot and the latter a move overseas. Additionally the breakout star, Mitch Duke, hasn’t quite broken out either.
But the Mariners have an upside. They sit third on the table, despite their current troubles. They’ve also acquired another fan favourite in Bernie Ibini on loan. Ibini gives them another option up front.
The Mariners have gained eights in the last 5 games. But their displays 14 games in haven’t given their fans much confidence in defending their title. That being said, between them and Sydney, they are the form side heading into this game and will be looking for a confidence boost.
Head To Head and Form Guide
Played: 26. Sydney FC: 10. Draw: 7. Central Coast: 9.
Last Meeting: 07/12/13 at Bluetongue Stadium. Central Coast 1:0 Sydney FC
Sydney FC: WLLDL. Central Coast: WLWDD
Absentee List
Sydney FC: Richard Garcia, Rhyan Grant, Peter Triantis, Terry Antonis (all injured), Tiago (suspended), Hagi Gligor (international duty)
Central Coast: Marcos Flores, Adam Kwasnik (all injured), John Hutchinson (suspended), Michael McGlinchey (loaned out)
Probable XI
Sydney FC (4-4-2): Janjetovic; Bojic, Ryall, Petkovic, Warren; Carle, Thompson, Chianese, Abbas; Del Piero, Despotovic.
Central Coast (4-2-3-1): Reddy; Roux, Sainsbury, Anderson, Rose; Caceres, Montgomery; Ibini, McBreen, Fitzgerald; Duke.
Eyes On…
Corey Gameiro. His performances in his return from injury has impressed many, most importantly the fans. Looking lively, he’s performed well in his two games off the bench. It will be interesting to see whether Farina starts him this week.
Prediction
Both Sydney FC and CentralCoast are out of sorts. Neither side is playing particularly well and either side could walk away with a win. Both sides are also likely to play out a boring draw in the context of their current form. That being said, I think Sydney’s home form may just play in their favour.
Predicted Score: SFC 1:0 CCM (HT 0:0).
FTSAL Fact
Out of the 14 meetings between the two sides at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney FC have won 7 times while the Mariners have only managed to win 4 times.
