The Central Coast Mariners are back at Our Paradise this weekend, hosting Melbourne City at 5pm on Saturday.
Fresh off two dominant victories against both Brisbane and Western United, the Mariners head into the match full of confidence, looking to secure a home final with only three rounds remaining.
The match also marks a special occasion on the Mariners calendar, with this game designated as the club’s 11th Pink Round.
Team News
Central Coast Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery has named a largely unchanged squad from last weekend’s victory over Western United.Â
Cameron Windust drops out of the side, being replaced by scholar Miguel Di Pizio. The 17-year-old has impressed for the Mariners Academy so far, having also been training with the A-League squad.
Melbourne City have also named a relatively unchanged squad for their trip to Our Paradise, with two additions from the team that defeated Wellington Phoenix.
City’s captain Scott Jamieson will return after serving a one game suspension last weekend, coming straight back into the squad. Young defender Sebastian Esposito has also been promoted into the senior squad.
Socceroo Mathew Leckie remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Richard van der Venne has been given an extra week off to recover from a calf injury.
Recent Form
Since returning from the international break, the Central Coast Mariners have been one of the most in form sides in the competition.
Our first game post break saw a comfortable 4-1 win over Brisbane Roar at home, welcoming back numerous faces to have a full-strength squad.Â
That momentum continued into last Friday, where we put on a dominant performance to come away with a 3-0 victory over Western United. Those six points have moved the Mariners into third place, two points clear of fourth Western Sydney Wanderers.Â
A win this weekend will go a long way to ensuring that the Mariners will be playing a home final, currently six points ahead of Wellington with a far superior goal difference.
Melbourne City had been on a bit of a tough run before last weekend, securing just two wins in their previous five matches, including a 2-1 victory in the replayed Melbourne Derby.
They did however return to their goalscoring best on Monday, putting four past Wellington Phoenix to secure a 4-1 victory at home. Both Marco Tilio and Jamie Maclaren scored doubles, pushing the latter up to 20 A-League goals this season.
City currently sit in first with 48 points, with a win across any of their remaining three matches enough to secure them the premiership.Â
Previous MeetingsÂ
The Central Coast Mariners have had the better of Melbourne City at Industree Group Stadium over the years, coming away with the three points on half of the 16 meetings at the ground.
City have won at Our Paradise just four times, however of late the results have gone both ways.
The last five games at Industree Group Stadium between the pair have seen both teams come away with two wins and a draw.
Melbourne is on a two-game win streak in Gosford, with the Mariners eager to break that on Saturday.
We have also been unable to come away with an A-League victory against the side since our incredible comeback in 2021, with Montgomery’s men keen to secure the three points this Pink Round.
Squads
Central Coast Mariners
3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 5. James MCGARRY, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 10. Matheus MORESCHE, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harry STEELE, 14. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 15. Storm ROUX, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Danny VUKOVIC, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER, 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 28. James BAYLISS, 31. Christian THEOHAROUS, 39. Miguel DI PIZIO, 98. Marco TULIO
Ins: 39. Miguel DI PIZIO
Outs: 22. Cameron WINDUST
Unavailable: Bradley TAPP (injury)
Melbourne City
1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES, 36. Kerrin STOKES, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Jordan BOS, 43. Sebastian ESPOSITO.
In: 3. Scott JAMIESON (returns from suspension), 43. Sebastian ESPOSITO (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hamstring), 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE (calf), 34. Arion SULEMANI (ACL).
MATCH DETAILS
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne City
Saturday, April 15th
Kick-off: 5pm AEDT
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Tickets available HERE!
