The Central Coast Mariners host the Perth Glory in Gosford, with both sides out to start their season on a high. Join The Roar from 5:15pm (AEDT) for live scores.
The Mariners begin their campaign on the back of a disappointing 2014-15 A-League season, picking up just four points in their last seven matches.
Central Coast lost two off-season friendlies, to the Brisbane Roar and the Newcastle Jets.
They also crashed out of this season’s FFA Cup with a 1-nil loss to the Wellington Phoenix. Roy O’Donovan will be eager to put that game behind him and find the net for the Mariners, after missing a late penalty against the Nix.
However, the Mariners have a positive record at Gosford against Perth, winning 12 and only losing one of their previous 16 A-League games against the Glory at home.
Perth enter Central Coast Stadium coming off three-straight FFA Cup wins. They are now set to face Melbourne City FC in the semi-finals of the competition later this month.
Despite an impressive 2014-15 A-League campaign, salary cap breaches meant Perth were not permitted to compete in the competition’s final stages. The Glory will be eager to put that behind them.
Glory’s new weapon, Diego Castro, will be looking to assert himself, the striker making the move to Perth after playing in the Spanish La Liga last season.
Last season 11 of the Glory’s goals came via headers, and Michael Thwaite, Antony Golec and Dino Djulbic will want to beat that number this season.
The last time these sides faced off, in March this year, Jamie McLaren found the net for Perth with 10 minutes to go, however Nick Montgomery scored a screamer in injury time to equalise.
Prediction
Despite history being against them, the Glory have the power to take the win away from home.
Central Coast Mariners 1 – 2 Perth Glory
Can the Central Coast Mariners put disappointing results behind them and bag a win, or will Perth Glory continue to kick the Mariners while they are down? Join The Roar from 5:15pm (AEDT) for all the action, and be sure to comment below.
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