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Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Australian A-League clash between Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Central Coast Mariners have the opportunity to push into second place in the A-League table this weekend when they face Macarthur.
The visitors are fresh off the back of a 3-2 win in their previous outing and will be hoping to kick on to secure consecutive victories.
Match preview
Central Coast Mariners had their three-match unbeaten run brought to an end last weekend when they were defeated by Western Sydney Wanderers.
It was a clash between two teams high up in the table, but the Yellow & Navy came up short in a 2-0 loss which is a performance they will be keen to forget.
Central Coast Mariners finished the match with just 10 men after Beni N’Kololo was sent off, making it even harder for his team to try and get back into the game.
Considering the fact their previous two games were draws, it has now been three outings since they last secured three points which is a worrying sign heading towards the final stretch of the season.
Right now, Central Coast Mariners are still in touching distance of those above them, and a victory could move them into second place if other results also go their way.
However, the visitors will be out to provide stern competition, especially since they lost the reverse fixture against them.
The previous meeting between these two teams led to Central Coast Mariners winning 2-1 after two goals in the opening 30 minutes prove to be too much for Macarthur to pull back.
A repeat of that result could create problems for the visitors when it comes to their league position as it might see them slip into the bottom four with only six games remaining.
Mile Sterjovski was put through a run of emotions last weekend after witnessing his team almost throw away a two-goal lead when they faced Brisbane Roar.
However Jake McGing was on hand to score a 95th-minute winner, and that fighting spirit is something that the team will be needing to display once again this time out.
Central Coast Mariners Australian A-League form:
Macarthur Australian A-League form:
Team News
The hosts will be without N’Kololo this weekend after he was sent off in their most recent match which will result in at least one change taking place.
He is not the only player dealing with suspension on Saturday, though, as Brian Kaltak and Moresche are also dealing with the same scenario right now.
Maksim Kasalovic has also not been named in the matchday squad for this weekend and will not be an option.
Ulises Davila remains a long-term absence for the visitors and will be out for the remainder of the season, but Macarthur could look to use the same team again after a positive result last time out.
Central Coast Mariners possible starting lineup:
Vukovic; Roux, Triantis, Hall, McGarry; Silvera, Balard, Nisbet, Duarte; Tulio, Cummings
Macarthur possible starting lineup:
Kurto; Millar, Uskok, Susnjar, Vujica; Baccus, Hollman; Auglah, De Silva, Arzani; Romero
We say: Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Macarthur
A closely-fought contest could be on the cards this weekend and with little to separate the two teams, a score draw could be played out at the Glen Willow Stadium.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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