A-League Match Preview – Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers

A-League Match Preview – Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers [VIDEO]

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Retiring Mariners captain John Hutchinson will be looking for a perfect send-off as his side welcomes Western Sydney Wanderers to Gosford.

The Central Coast will say goodbye to two of its most loyal servants on Saturday night in what will surely be an emotionally charged fixture. Club captain John Hutchinson, who will take up a coaching role within the club next season, will surely start in Gosford, but Matt Simon, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, is a surprise chance to make an appearance from the bench. The 28-year-old has been plagued with injuries this season, but fortune has allowed him the chance of a final appearance for his local club.

The Mariners are still eighth on the table but will need to be wary of their opponents. The Wanderers finally leapfrogged Newcastle into ninth on the ladder last week, and a win for Tony Popovic’s side would draw them within two points of the yellow and navy with two rounds left to play.

Key Battle – Eddy Bosnar vs Kerem Bulut

Both players are known for their abrasive personalities, and their contest will surely have a significant influence on the result of this match.

Bulut’s arrival at Parramatta has been the catalyst for an upturn in the Wanderers’ fortunes, scoring five goals in six appearances in the A-League as Tony Popovic’s side lifted themselves off the foot of the table. The 23-year-old has outshone strike partner Tomi Juric in recent weeks and is earning support for a potential call-up to the Socceroos, despite the controversy over now-dropped intimidation charges.

Eddy Bosnar will relish the contest with Bulut and a potential redemption after last week’s defensive horror-show. The club’s 6-1 defeat to Brisbane would have undoubtedly embarrassed the experienced Bosnar, but a clean sheet against a state rival would go a long way to easing that pain.

https://youtu.be/2moiyxrgmKg

Team News

Storm Roux returns to the squad after missing the club’s last two fixtures through international duty, while outgoing striker Matt Simon could make a long-awaited return from injury. Jacob Poscoliero is still undergoing treatment for a hamstring injury, meaning that Zac Anderson and Eddy Bosnar will start in central defence.

Central Coast Mariners expected XI: Reddy; Roux, Anderson, Bosnar, Rose; Hutchinson, Montgomery; Cernak, Caceres, Ferreira; Fitzgerald.

The Wanderers will have their defence bolstered by the return of Anthony Golec and Matthew Spiranovic from injury, but are shorn of a body in attack after Nikita Rukavytsa picked up a hamstring injury.

Western Sydney Wanderers expected XI: Covic;Tanaka, Topor-Stanley, Spiranovic, Golec, La Rocca, Poljak, Takahagi, Castelen, Bridge, Bulut.

Head-to-head

These two sides have a remarkably close record, sharing three victories apiece and four draws in ten encounters.

Previous Meeting

Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Central Coast Mariners 0, 1 January 2015

It was a rather dull encounter at Pirtek Stadium, with both sides drained after playing just a few days before. The Wanderers looked dangerous on occasion thanks to the pace of Nikita Rukavytsa, but were conspired to squander the best of their chances. The Mariners looked toothless in attack, with Josh Rose easily his side’s standout player.

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Prediction

 

In their final home game of the season and the farewells of club legends Matt Simon and John Hutchinson should be enough to get the Mariners to victory here. After playing midweek ACL football, Popovic’s side will struggle to produce their best, allowing the Mariners’ speedy attackers the chances to win the points.

Central Coast Mariners 2 – 1 Western Sydney Wanderers

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