Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
Allianz Stadium, Saturday 21 February, 5.00pm AEDT
There will be a distinct sense of Déjà vu when Sydney FC host Central Coast Mariners in the Saturday evening kick off this week. After all, it was only four weeks ago that these sides last met, with Sydney running out convincing 5-1 winners in Gosford. That game is remembered for the Mariners shameless and tasteless promotion of the match aimed at former manager Graham Arnold, now in charge of the Sky Blues. Were ‘$ydney’ motivated for that clash?
Central Coast head into this game on the back of two home losses in a week, having been humbled 2-0 by Brisbane Roar before putting in a diabolical display to go out of the AFC Champions League 3-1 at the hands of Chinese side Guangzhou R&F.
Sydney meanwhile showed their fighting spirit in twice coming from behind to secure a somewhat controversial 3-3 draw with Melbourne Victory in the latest instalment of the ‘Big Blue’.
These games always produce talking points, and this was no different, with Sydney defender Seb Ryall appearing to “trip over an imaginary gopher” (according to ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann) in winning a penalty for Sydney’s second goal. From most views it looked like Ryall dived, but he has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the FFA.
Ryall will be available to take his place in the side this week, where he will be part of a likely reshuffle to accommodate the return of both Nikola Petkovic and Jacques Faty to the Sydney backline.
Look for the Mariners to shuffle their deck off the back of the embarrassing Champions League performance. Zac Anderson and Glen Trifiro have been added to the squad, while Josh Rose will be looking to make up for his comical, 40 yard own goal with a better showing against Sydney.
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New signing Fabio Ferreira was lively and looked a threat against the roar last week, and Phil Moss will require more from the attacker, particularly linking up with target man Matt Simon, if the Mariners are to attest their horrible scoring record.
Central Coast are yet to win a game away from Gosford this season, but look to have become road draw specialists, with five of their seven away games ending in stalemate. Despite Sydney’s obvious attacking talent, the Mariners will be encouraged by the Sky Blues form at home, where they haven’t won in six games. Could another draw be on the cards?
Sydney’s home form is one of the great mysteries of the A-League, but they won’t get a better chance to break the winless run than against a Mariners outfit all but sapped of confidence.
Watch out for: Goals (and goals, and goals) from Sydney. The Sky Blues have scored 11 goals in three games since the Asian Cup break, and it should continue this week.
Don’t hold your breath: For a Mariners penalty. Central Coast haven’t scored from the spot all season, but having said that, scoring any type of goal has been a struggle for them.
Prediction: Sydney FC 2, Central Coast Mariners 0
Air your #Banter on this game
Can the Mariners bounce back from their midweek performance which saw them bow out of the Champions League early?
Will Sydney FC’s goal scoring continue this weekend or will the Mariners suck the life out of the match away?
How will Seb Ryall react after being cleared of simulation during the week?
Will Sydney FC’s run of poor home form continue?
Teams
Sydney FC
1. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 2. Seb RYALL, 5. Matt JURMAN, 6. Nikola PETKOVIC, 8. Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 11. Bernie IBINI, 13. Christopher NAUMOFF, 14. Alex BROSQUE (c), 16. Alex GERSBACH, 17. Terry ANTONIS, 20. Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 21. Mark JANKO, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 25. Aaron CALVER, 26. Jacques FATY, 27. Mickael TAVARES, 34. Robert STAMBOLZIEV
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 6. Nikola PETKOVIC (return from suspension), 26. Jacques FATY (return from suspension)
Outs: None
Unavailable: 7. Corey GAMEIRO (knee – indefinite), 22. Ali ABBAS (knee – indefinite), 19. Nick CARLE (knee – indefinite), 3. Sasa OGNENOVSKI (hip – indefinite)
Central Coast Mariners
1. Matthew NASH (gk), 2. Storm ROUX, 3. Josh ROSE, 4. Jacob POSCOLIERO, 5. Zac ANDERSON, 7. John HUTCHINSON (c), 8. Nick MONTGOMERY, 10. Anthony CACERES, 11. Nick FITZGERALD, 12. Liam REDDY (gk), 14. Travis MAJOR, 15. Matt SIM, 16. Liam ROSE, 18. Glen TRIFIRO, 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Anthony KALIK, 25. Eddy BOSNAR, 26. Fabio FERREIRA
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 5. Zac ANDERSON (promoted), 18. Glen TRIFIRO (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 17. Richard VERNES (shoulder – indefinite), 21. Michael NEILL (foot – indefinite)