Following our incredible 4-2 comeback victory over Western United last weekend, the Central Coast Mariners hit the road with the goal of three important points against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
Team News
Following last weekend’s victory, Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery has named an unchanged squad for Saturday’s match.
Dor Jok and Kelechi John enter contention to make the matchday side after narrowly missing out last weekend, with both looking to make their mark this round.
Western Sydney have also named a strong side for the clash, with Oliver Bozanic and Yeni Ngbakoto promoted into this week’s squad.
Recent Form
After a first half without reward last weekend, the Mariners proved why they have one of the best attacks in the competition, putting four past a defensive Western United in the second half to take the 4-2 win.
Statistically it was total domination from the Central Coast, finishing with 22 more shots than their opponent, and seven more on target.
It was an important bounce back after a difficult match against Perth the week before, with the side determined to continue that second half form this round.
The Wanderers have also started the season strong, currently sitting equal top of the league on points. Last weekend saw the side collect another clean sheet, their third of the season, defeating Newcastle 2-0.
That defence, which includes the likes of Lawrence Thomas, Adama Traore and Marcelo, has seen them concede just one goal all season, with the likes of Jason Cummings, Paul Ayongo and Garang Kuol all determined to add to that number.
Previous Meetings
The Mariners and Wanderers have a long history against each other, with the biggest match between the two sides being the Mariners 2012/13 2-0 Grand Final win.
Looking at recent form, the Wanderers have struggled to defeat the Mariners, having not won a match between the pair since January 2021. Since then there has been two draws and a Central Coast win, including our remarkable comeback against the side last season.
On that day it was centre back Dan Hall who was the hero, clawing us back from 2-0 down despite playing almost the entire second half with 10 men.
Since moving into Western Sydney Stadium, the Wanderers have only defeated the Mariners on one occasion, a 2-1 victory in 2019. After that match the Mariners have held firm, collecting two important draws on the road.
Squads
Western Sydney Wanderers:
1.Daniel MARGUSH (GK), 2.Gabriel CLEUR, 3.Adama TRAORE, 5.Tomi MRCELA, 6.Marcelo GUEDES, 7.Ramy NAJJARINE, 8.Oliver BOZANIC, 9.Kusini YENGI, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Sulejman KRPIC, 12.Ruon TONGYIK, 17.Romain AMALFITANO, 19.Daniel WILMERING, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO, 26.Brandon BORRELLO, 28.Calem NIEUWENHOF, 35.Zac SAPSFORD, 36.Alessandro LOPANE, 37.Alex BADOLATO.
Ins: 8.Oliver BOZANIC (promoted), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO (promoted).
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, 17. Kelechi JOHN, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Daniel VUKOVIC (c) (gk), 21. Michael RUHS, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER (gk), 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 29. Dor JOK, 90. Paul AYONGO, 98. MARCO TULIO
Ins: 17. Kelechi JOHN (promoted), 29. Dor JOK (promoted)
Unavailable: 10. Matheus MORESCHE (injured), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)
MATCH DETAILS
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, November 5th
Kick-off: 7:45pm AEDT
CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+ and 10BOLD