Hyundai A-League - Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners
Round 23 of the Hyundai A-League continues today when 4th placed Melbourne Victory host cellar dwellers the Central Coast Mariners at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium from 2.00pm local time.
With Central Coast failing to take maximum points against the Victory in more than 10 meetings, it would be a brave man to suggest things will be different today, with Melbourne turning an unremarkable February losing streak into a remarkable March, capped off by a win against Japanese giants Kawasaki Frontale in the Asian Champions League midweek. That win puts the Victory in contention for a knockout phase spot, and fate in their own hands.
Coach Kevin Muscat dragged Albanian striker Besart Berisha off in their Asian Champions League tie during the week and he clearly was not happy with being replaced, muttering abuse to himself as the cameras followed him off the pitch and back onto the bench. Muscat commented after the game that -
" I am more interested in who is coming on, not going off"
Nevertheless, the move paid dividends for Muscat's men, who pinched a late winner courtesy of Kosta Barbarouses and sit second in the ACL group.
While it would be hard to go against the Victory taking maximum points today, a relatively fresh Central Coast will come to play, and have scored in 8 of their last 10 games. Prior to that they also played out a 1-1 draw against the side they face today. It is difficult to measure how much the Champions League game has taken out of the Victory, if anything, but they perhaps won't start as fresh in the body or mind as we are accustomed to.
The Prediction
Melbourne should take the three points today, but coming off a gruelling midweek Asian Champions League match is always a tough ask. Take both teams to score at odds of $1.70.
Regards,
Football Commentator | Analyst
Perth, Western Australia.
