- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix kick off Round 20 of the A-League when they meet on Friday night in Gosford. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The arrival at the twentieth round of the A-League season brings with it the realisation that the end of the regular season is drawing near.
With the competition poised so tightly – heading into Round 20 just two wins separate third to ninth – every point up for grabs becomes more and more crucial.
If the Mariners can get the win, they have the chance to jump both Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory (depending on the outcome of their clash on Saturday), possibly finding themselves sitting third on the A-League ladder by Sunday.
The Phoenix currently hold seventh position and will be desperate for a win, or to at least salvage a point, so they can keep up with the rest of the competition as the run to the finals ramps up.
The teams last met on January 12 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, where they played out a 1-1 draw.
In that match, the scores were back level by half time and a physical second half was highlighted by a string of yellow cards.
For tonights match, the Mariners bring in promoted players Tom Slater, Isaka Cernak and Matt Sim, as well as Glen Trifiro to cover the suspensions being served by Joshua Rose, Nick Fitzgerald and Matt Simon.
Wellington welcome back Roy Krishna from injury and also bring Josh Bringell-South into the squad.
It has been almost a month since the Mariners recorded their last victory, 3-0 against Newcastle on January 25, so they will be desperate to find some form heading into the pointy end of the season.
Despite their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Melbourne Heart last week, the Phoenix have at least recored a couple of victories in their last three matches.
The trip across the ditch is always going to put extra pressure on the Phoenix, but they should draw some optimism from the fact that the Mariners have struggled in recent weeks.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.