The Central Coast Mariners are looking to make it three wins in a row on Tuesday afternoon, coming up against a strong Melbourne City outfit. It will be the sides first trip to Melbourne and second outside of New South Wales for the season, as the squad looks to build some strong away form.Â
Team News
The Central Coast Mariners have named an unchanged 20 man squad to face Melbourne City, with Max Balard and Paul Ayongo looking to overcome injuries to be available for Tuesday.
Youngsters Sasha Kuzevski and Dor Jok maintain their places in the 20 man squad, keen to add to their first team minutes so far this season. Garang Kuol is again selected in the squad ahead of his final match in Mariners colours this Saturday against Melbourne Victory.
Melbourne City have announced a few changes to their squad, with Nuno Reis returning from illness, while Arion Sulemani has been promoted. Florin Berenguer and Max Caputo are unavailable due to injury.
Recent Form
After a tight loss to the Newcastle Jets in our first game back following the World Cup break, the Mariners have gone from strength to strength, picking up the maximum of six points in our two most recent matches.
This included a pleasing come from behind victory against Sydney FC, before completing a dominant 3-0 win over the Jets. This saw us move up to third place after eight rounds, only dropping down to fourth after Macarthur’s win against Sydney FC on Saturday evening.Â
After going undefeated before the World Cup break, Melbourne City have struggled to recapture that form since the competition restart.
A 2-1 loss to Sydney FC was their first of the season, while they were leading 1-0 over Melbourne Victory before the match was suspended last weekend.
Despite not picking up a point since mid-November, Melbourne City still sit in first place with matches still in hand. A win for them will extend their lead to at least four points, while a Mariners victory by two or more will see us take first place.
Previous Meetings
The Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City have had a tight rivalry in the A-League, playing 34 times. City have won 15 of those, the Mariners 12, along with seven draws.Â
Both sides are far more dominant at home, with City winning 11 of the 18 matches played at AAMI Park. The Mariners have won half of the games played at Industree Group Stadium.
Melbourne won both of our games played last season, including an extremely controversial 3-2 victory at AAMI Park. This was the sides fourth consecutive win over us, with the Mariners looking to break that winning streak.Â
Squads
Melbourne City Squad
1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Taras GOMULKA, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 34. Arion SULEMANI, 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES, 38. Jordan BOS.
In: 4. Nuno REIS (returns from illness), 34. Arion SULEMANI (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 10. Florin BERENGUER (hamstring), 37. Max CAPUTO (knee).
Central Coast Mariners Squad
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, Sasha KUZEVSKI, 29. Dor JOK, 90. Paul AYONGO, 98. MARCO TULIO
Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 10. Matheus MORESCHE (injured), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)
Match Details
Melbourne City vs Central Coast Mariners
Tuesday, December 27th
Kick-off: 5:30pm AEDT
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
