Auckland FC vs Central Coast Mariners Preview
Auckland FC still lead the A-League despite losing last week. I think they will get back to winning ways but the value lies in Central Coast Mariners finding the back of the net - something they have done in six of their last seven games.
- Auckland have seen BTTS land in nine of their last 11 games
- Mariners have seen BTTS land in five of their last seven games
- Mariners have scored in six of their last seven games
- Auckland have seen BTTS land in their last five home games
- Auckland have won by 2+ goals in three of their last four victories
- Lachie Brook has scored in four of his last five games
- Mariners have conceded exactly three goals in their last three away defeats
- Auckland's last win at home was a 3-1 triumph over Wellington
Auckland FC vs Central Coast Mariners Head To Head
Auckland are unbeaten and have won two of the three previous meetings, including a 2-1 victory back in Round 8, with Jesse Randall and Sam Cosgrove finding the back of the net.
Auckland FC Bid To Bounce Back
It's been another great season for Auckland, who arrive at Round 14 flying high at the top of the table with a 7-3-3 record.
However, the Black Knights have missed a chance to increase their two-point lead over Sydney in recent weeks, winning just one of their last four.
Auckland suffered a 3-1 home loss to the Jets and drew with Macarthur before suffering a 2-1 defeat on the road to Melbourne City last week.
Steve Corica's side went ahead as Lachie Brook continued his fine form by opening the scoring, but Max Caputo's second half penalty and Medin Memeti's late winner condemned them to defeat.
Central Coast Mariners Still Struggling
It's been a disappointing season for the Mariners - they've put together a 3-3-7 record to be languishing in second-last position on the ladder after 13 rounds.
Warren Moon was rewarded with the permanent head coaching role, but he's not enjoyed much success, with the Mariners coming into this clash having lost five of their last seven games.
Warren Moon was rewarded with the permanent head coaching role, but he's not enjoyed much success, with the Mariners coming into this clash having lost five of their last seven games.
Central Coast came from nowhere to blitz Adelaide 4-0 at Coopers, but they couldn't build on that form, slumping to a 3-0 away loss to Perth before last week's 1-1 draw with Macarthur at home.
In a game postponed 24 hours due to rain, the Mariners came away with a point as Sabit Ngor equalised in the 77th minute.