FTS A-League Round 2 Preview: Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix
Central Coast Mariners play host to Wellington Phoenix in the A-League round 2 grudge match on Saturday afternoon. Eyes will undoubtedly be fixated upon Michael McGlinchey’s return to Bluetongue Stadium after his rom-com-esque departure from Gosford earlier in the transfer window.
The Central Coast Mariners will go into this fixture against the Wellington Phoenix on the back of a first round win over the Newcastle Jets in the F3 Derby and a morale boosting 5-0 win mid-week in the FFA Cup over NPL Queensland side Palm Beach Sharks.
The home side will be looking to keep their 100% winning record in all competitions intact, but know it won’t be easy against a Wellington side hungry for goals and a win after their last round defeat.
Coach Phil Moss will head into this one with some selection headaches as some standout performances midweek from Glen Trifiro and Matt Sim have bolstered their chances of getting a start in more A-League matches.
The Wellington Phoenix travel to Gosford after a disappointing home loss to the Perth Glory last week and they will look to get back on track with what would be a confidence boosting away win.
The Phoenix will look to bounce back from their first round disappointment as their first away trip of the season will take place where many teams have previously struggled. They will be looking to their new man and former Mariner Michael McGlinchey to steer the ship for the away side with his brilliant midfield play which earned him man of the match honours against Perth last week.
Eyes On… Michael McGlinchey: The little midfielder will be looking to make an impact against his former side with his man of the match performance last week still fresh on the mind, he will be a player the Mariners will have to shut out of the game.
Head To Head: Played: 23. Central Coast Mariners: 12. Draws: 4. Wellington Phoenix 7.
Last Meeting: 21/02/14 at Bluetongue Stadium. Central Coast Mariners 1-4 Wellington Phoenix
Form Guide: Central Coast Mariners: LWWWW. Wellington Phoenix: LLLLL
Absentee List:
Central Coast Mariners: Brent Griffiths (5 weeks)
Wellington Phoenix- TBA
Central Coast Mariners (probable): Reddy; Roux, Anderson, Bosnar, Rose; Hutchinson, Montgomery, Kim, Duke, Trifiro, Mane
Wellington Phoenix (probable): Moss; Muscat, Bonevacia, Rodriguez, Burns, McGlinchey, Brockie, Riera, Sigmund, Doyle, Durante
Prediction:
Central Coast Mariners 1 Wellington Phoenix 1
This is a very tough match to pick. The Mariners look to be favourites judging by the form guide, but Wellington will consider themselves unlucky to lose last round as they showed plenty of promise. I can’t split these two teams and l believe the points will be shared at Central Coast Stadium.
FTSAUS Fact
- Central Coast have scored in each of their last 11 A-League clashes with Wellington, while keeping a clean sheet in six of these matches.
- Kenny Cunningham has scored for Wellington Phoenix in their last two A-League meetings with the Mariners.
- No player created more goal-scoring chances than Wellington’s Michael McGlinchey (five) in round 1.
