The A-League returns to Geelong this week as the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory both look to build momentum at Simonds Stadium.
Tony Walmsley’s side secured their first win since round one in their New Year’s Eve clash with Wellington, showing far greater energy and attacking initiative on their way to a 3-1 win. The result failed to lift them off the bottom of the table, where they still sit four points off the ninth-placed Glory, but the result provided a positive note on which to end a tumultuous 2015.
The Victory broke their five-game winless run with a 1-0 triumph over the Newcastle Jets. It was far from a vintage performance from the reigning champions, but Fahid Ben Khalfallah struck midway through the second half to win their first match in the Hunter since 2009.
This week’s fixture is actually a Mariners home game, but the club elected to move the fixture to Geelong in order to draw a greater attendance than they would in Gosford and help balance the books. Will Tony Walmsley’s side come out on top without their home advantage?
Key Battle – Jake McGing vs Gui Finkler
The Brazilian maestro loves playing against the Mariners, scoring four goals in his last three games against the yellow and navy. Finkler’s unique ability to find space between the defence and midfield gives him the opportunity to exploit defensive openings to maximum efficiency, setting up chances for the likes of Barbarousses and Berisha or taking them himself. The 30-year-old missed the last two weeks with a calf injury, but given his track record against the Mariners expect a return to the starting lineup.
Guarding that crucial space in front of the defence for the Mariners will be Jake McGing, who made his first start in the holding midfield role last week against the Phoenix and conducted himself well, shutting down the likes of Michael McGlinchey and Roly Bonevacia for much of the game. This week will undoubtedly be a sterner test for the 21-year-old.
Team News
The big news this week is the eight-week suspension given to Irish striker Roy O’Donovan following his headbutt on Manny Muscat last weekend. Tony Walmsley has confirmed that Joshua Bingham will start up front in O’Donovan’s place, but otherwise should retain the same starting eleven from the win against the Phoenix.
Central Coast Mariners expected starting XI (4-3-3): Heward-Belle; Roux, Poscoliero, Ascroft, J. Rose; McGing, Neill, Montgomery; Ferreira, Bingham, Austin.
The Victory’s depth has been ripped out this week as Jason Geria, Connor Pain, Thomas Deng, Scott Galloway and Giancarlo Gallifuoco jet off to Qatar for the AFC-u23 Championships. In a defensive reshuffle Dylan Murnane should start on the left side of defence, with Daniel Georgievski moving to the right flank.
Melbourne Victory expected starting XI (4-2-3-1): Vukovic; Georgievski, Broxham, Delpierre, Murnane; Mahazi, Bozanic; Barbarousses, Finkler, Ben Khalfallah; Berisha.
Head-to-head
Central Coast Mariners 9, Melbourne Victory 15, Drawn 8.
Previous Meeting
It was the Gui Finkler show when these sides met up in round seven, with the Brazilian scoring in the 16th and 19th minutes to give his team a solid lead before half time. However, the Victory could not add to their lead in the second stanza and nearly allowed the Mariners a way back into the match when substitute Matt Sim scored in the 89th minute. In the end though it was too late for the visitors as the Victory held on for the points and moved to the top of the table.
Prediction
It is set to be a tight contest at Simonds Stadium, with both sides surely looking for a win in order to reinvigorate their seasons. A win for the Mariners will ensure they stay in touch with the rest of the competition, while the Victory will kick-start their title defence. While there is sure to be goals in this fixture, Kevin Muscat’s side will surely come out on top with their “Fantastic Four” of Barbarousses, Finkler, Ben Khalfallah and Berisha.
Central Coast Mariners 1 Melbourne Victory 2
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