The Central Coast Mariners are looking to bounce back after a tight loss in difficult conditions against Melbourne City, coming up against Melbourne Victory on Saturday night. Currently sitting in fourth place, a win will see us finish the year in second on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder, as the squad aims to bring in the new year with a victory.
Team News
The Central Coast Mariners have named an unchanged 20 man squad to face Melbourne Victory, with a number of high profile players aiming to be back in contention for selection.
Paul Ayongo will be keen to hopefully return from a hamstring injury that has recently kept him sidelined, while Max Balard is also aiming for a return.
Thomas Aquilina is back in the squad while Josh Nisbet is preparing to have a massive impact after being a late withdrawal against Melbourne City due to illness.
Melbourne Victory have made a few changes to their squad, with Matthew Spiranovic returning from the long-term injury list after training for consecutive weeks.
Nani and Roderick Miranda both missed their most recent match against Western United and will be given right up until the team sheets are due to prove their fitness.
Goalkeeper Paul Izzo is unavailable due to a thumb injury, while Jay Barnett has been omitted from the squad.
Recent Form
The Mariners have been on a healthy run of form since our loss to Newcastle in round seven, defeating both Sydney FC and the Jets in five days to propel ourselves up the competition ladder.
A tight loss to City in scorching conditions was a tough one to take, however a vastly improved second half performance against the competition frontrunners left the side full of confidence moving forward.
The Mariners currently sit in fourth place on the ladder, holding a 4-1-4 record with 13 points and the second-best goal difference.
After making the semi-finals last season, Melbourne Victory have struggled to recapture that form so far this campaign.
A win over Macarthur following the World Cup break has then seen them not pick up a point since, including a 1-0 loss to 10 men Western United.
Victory currently sits in ninth place on the ladder, holding a 3-1-4 record with 10 points.
Previous Meetings
Melbourne Victory have always been a tough opponent for the Mariners, with the Melbourne side coming away with 24 wins from 49 matches. There have been 14 draws, while the Central Coast have won 11 times.
When the matches are played at Industree Group Stadium the record becomes far closer, with Melbourne winning just nine of 22 matches played.
Since the 2019/20 season it has been an extremely close affair between the two sides, with Melbourne winning just once in our last six A-League encounters. They have not won at Our Paradise since round 25 of the 2018/19 season.
Squads
Central Coast Mariners
2. Thomas AQUILINA, 3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harrison STEELE, 14. Garang KUOL, 15. Storm ROUX, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Daniel VUKOVIC (c) (gk), 21. Michael RUHS, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER (gk), 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 29. Dor JOK, 90. Paul AYONGO, 98. MARCO TULIO
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 10. Matheus MORESCHE (injured), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)
Melbourne Victory
1.Matt ACTON, 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Enrique LOPEZ, 4.Rai MARCHAN, 5.Matt SPIRANOVIC, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Josh BRILLANTE, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 15.Geroge TIMOTHEOU, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Luis NANI, 18.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 23. Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 24.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 28.Will Wilson, 30.Ahmad TALEB 31.Matthew BOZINOVSKI
In: 5.Matt SPIRANOVIC (returns from injury), 17.Luis NANI (returns from injury), 23.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (promoted), 30.Ahmad TALEB (promoted)
Out: 14.Jay BARNETT (omitted), 20.Paul IZZO (injured)
Unavailable: nil
MATCH DETAILS
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday, December 31st
Kick-off: 7:00pm AEDT
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+ and 10Bold
