A New South Wales derby will highlight the A-League Week 22, as Central Coast Mariners will visit Allianz Stadium to clash with Sydney FC. Game will start on March 30, at 9:45 AM.
Sydney FC
The most storied A-League franchise, Sydney FC, can boast about their trophy case, which includes five championships and another pair in the Australia Cup, which is the most by any squad in the relatively short history of a league.
Even this season, despite sitting in the middle of the pack, Sydney is safely in the playoff field due to their victory in the latest Australia Cup. Sweeping the bracket with relative ease, the Sky Blues only struggled in Round of 32, as they needed a late overtime goal and a goalkeeper to score the penalty in a shootout to scrape by their upcoming opponents.
Central Coast Mariners
The Mariners might not be playing in Sydney as they base themselves in Gosford, but with two championships and a Cup win in the inaugural 2005-2006 season put themselves into the elite company in the franchised A-League.
Outside of a dire stretch in the second half of the last decade, Central Coast Mariners are one of the most successful squads out there, as they are trying to defend their own title from the last season. Currently second in the standings only to Wellington Phoenix, the Mariners have a game to spare due to their AFC Cup success, as they look to bring an international trophy to Australia in addition to all the home awards.
Prediction ⚽️
After a fiery “3-3” clash in the Australia Cup, Sydney FC rubbed even more salt in the Mariners’ wounds, winning another New South Wales derby in February.
Central Coast Mariners posted five consecutive wins in A-League after that game, but sportsbooks still prefer a well-rested Sydney in the upcoming one. We will opt for a safer play, however, with the best defense in the league earning the Mariners at least a point with 1.71 odds 🔥.