Match News and Current Form
Central Coast are going to need some time and patience to find their feet after the sudden departure of Championship-winning head coach Mark Jackson, but said patience is wearing thin after they were overrun last round by Wellington Phoenix, one of the other clubs alongside the Mariners to be considered most likely to miss the finals. The Mariners are now on a five-game winless run (D1, L4), and with the club conceding 2+ goals in each of those four defeats despite scoring in return, there is no doubting where their deficiencies lie. Since a thrilling 3-2 F3 derby win on the opening matchday, in which they had to gain the lead twice, the dwindling numbers of Mariners' home supporters have not seen a victory (D2, L2), but the memory of four consecutive New Year's Eve games without defeat (W3, D1) could spurn some optimism.
Brisbane Roar head coach Michael Valkanis returned to Australia from a stint in Europe with a philosophy that clean sheets win trophies and he has implemented that into the Roar squad with immense success. Brisbane remain on the precipice of the top-two thanks to an astonishing six clean sheets from their first eight matches, and they could well and truly have added a seventh last week were it not for reckless defending that conceded two penalties in a 2-1 loss to Macarthur. Valkanis, who described them as two completely unnecessary goals conceded, insists his side deserved what would have been a seventh consecutive league game without defeat (W3, D3). With only one-third of their 15 league points coming on the road this season, albeit with two trips to New Zealand already, there's still a bit more to do before they can be considered a real title contender.
Head-to-Head History
Central Coast's win rate of 26% against Brisbane remains their third-worst against any current club, though they have dominated this matchup in recent years with seven wins from the last nine H2Hs. Seven of those nine produced over 2.5 total goals.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Four of Central Coast's last five games saw over 2.5 total goals.
Central Coast opened the scoring on a league-low two occasions this league campaign.
Brisbane scored 0-1 goals in eight of their nine games this season.
Brisbane are one of two sides yet to trail at half-time this term (1H: W4, D5).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Sabit Ngor recorded his second A-League goal last time out, but team success has not followed his own. His last four goals for the Mariners or Heidelberg were all equalisers in either draws or losses (D3, L1). Brisbane's Justin Vidic could beat him to the glory, with his two goals this season coming in the first half of away games (D1, L1).
Mariners remain without long-term absentee Trent Sainsbury and academy product Arthur De Lima. Brisbane are missing Milorad Stajić but can regain Sam Klein from concussion.
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Betting Analysis
We're expecting the visitors to stay firm at the back and for Brisbane to win with a clean sheet
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