The Central Coast Mariners will look to end an impressive week on a high as they welcome Western Sydney Wanderers to Gosford on Saturday night.
Tony Walmsley’s side are still at the foot of the ladder, but made waves off the field on Sunday with the announcement of new signing Luis Garcia, a Champions League winner and Liverpool FC legend. The ensuing media circus has thrust the club into the limelight, but importantly, Garcia’s arrival has just been one of many astute moves in the January transfer window. In particular, 22-year-old goalkeeper Alastair Bray impressed on the weekend against Adelaide United, despite conceding three goals at Coopers Stadium. Melbourne Victory reject Francesco Stella has started to show promise in his cameos from the bench, while the addition of former Olyroo Brad McDonald adds much-needed cover for Josh Rose at left back.
By contrast, the Wanderers have been quiet in the transfer department, merely seeking to retain their fluency as they mount their title challenge. Last week’s derby defeat cost Tony Popovic’s side a chance of returning to the top of the table, but with first-placed Brisbane taking on the in-form Adelaide United this week, the door is left ajar for the Wanderers.
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The match should be a similar proposition to last week’s Sydney Derby – as they showed a fortnight ago against the Victory, the Mariners are capable of playing ruthless counter-attacking football – but will the Wanderers come out on top with their new possession-based style?
Key Battle – Fabio Ferreira vs Scott Jamieson
Ferriera is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous players in the competition when he is in form, scoring two goals in his last three starts despite missing a penalty against Adelaide last weekend. The Portuguese winger endured a long stint on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, but his return to the starting lineup has produced a mini-revival for the Mariners. However, the 24-year-old has been caught out defensively this season, regularly failing to track back and help out his fullback.
This aspect of Ferreira’s game is something Tony Popovic will undoubtedly target, with Scott Jamieson set to provide added thrust from defence at every opportunity. Either Ferreira will be forced to track back, reducing the amount of energy he has available to put into attacking the Wanderers’ defence, or Jamieson will create plenty of overloads on the left flank to create attacking chances for his teammates.
Team News
After making their starting debuts against Adelaide last week, both Alastair Bray and Tomislav Uskok look set to retain their places against the Wanderers. Much of the media attention this week has surrounded new signing and former Liverpool player Luis Garcia, but given the 37-year-old has not played competitive football since 2014 he should only feature off the bench.
Central Coast Mariners expected starting XI (4-3-3): Bray; Roux, Uskok, Ascroft, Rose; McGing, Montgomery, Neill; Ferreira, Bingham, Austin.
Tony Popovic will have to bring 19-year-old Jonathon Aspropotamitis into the heart of his defence this week after Nikolai Topor-Stanley picked up his fifth yellow card of the season on the weekend. However, that should be the sole change for the away side, with Mark Bridge set to start against the club he scored against in the 2007-08 grand final ahead of Brendon Santalab and Federico Piovaccari.
Western Sydney Wanderers expected starting XI (4-3-3): Redmayne; Neville, Alberto, Aspropotamitis, Jamieson; Andreu, Dimas, Nichols; Castelen, Bridge, Vidosic.
Head-to-head
Central Coast Mariners 4, Western Sydney Wanderers 4, Drawn 4.
Previous Meeting
This round eight matchup saw the Wanderers come away with a 2-0 victory at Central Coast Stadium, taking the lead through substitute Brendon Santalab in the 66th minute. The Mariners poured forward in search of an equaliser, but their willingness to get forward cost them a second goal in the 90th minute when Mitch Nichols sent a mishit shot dribbling into the back of the net.
Prediction
The signing of Luis Garcia will no doubt give the Mariners a huge lift this weekend, but the quality and discipline possessed by the Wanderers should see them pick up all three points.
Central Coast Mariners 1 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
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