Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners Preview
Newcastle Jets have won the Premiers Plate and bid to end the regular season on a high. I think Central Coast Mariners can spioil the party by getting at least a point from this F3 derby having gone unbeaten in 11 of their last 13 games.
- Mariners have covered a +1.5 handicap in 12 of their last 13 games
- Mariners are unbeaten in 11 of their last 13 games
- Mariners are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 games vs Jets
- Mariners have beaten Jets in seven of their last eight games at McDonald Jones
- Jets have won just one of their last five games
- Jets have failed to win by 2+ goals in their last eight games
Newcastle Jets vs CC Mariners Head To Head
The Mariners have enjoyed lots of success against their F3 rivals in recent times - they prevailed in a 3-2 thriller back in Round 1 and also snapped Newcastle's eight-game winning streak later in the campaign.
Newcastle Jets Form - Premiers Plate Secured
It's been a dream season for the Jets, who have officially finished top of the table with one game to spare, registering a 14-2-8 record.
Records have been broken left, right and centre all season for the Jets, who have now picked up two of the three domestic trophies on offer - and done it all with the league's youngest squad.
It will be interesting to see how this inexperienced squad handle the pressure of the upcoming finals series - at the moment, it appears as if the Jets could use their upcoming week off as they head straight into a two-legged semi-final against the lowest-ranked winner of the elimination finals.
Newcastle have managed just one win from their last five games, but only a point was needed to secure the Premier's Plate last week, with Eli Adams scoring a double - including a late penalty - to earn his side a 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory.
Central Coast Mariners Form - CCM Hard To Beat
Although obviously disappointed to miss the finals, it's been a positive end to the season for Central Coast and something to build on for next term.
The Mariners have proven very hard to beat over the last few months, suffering just two defeats in their last 13 games, with both losses coming against the two Melbourne sides.
Warren Moon has done an excellent job of improving this Central Coast side and they would love nothing more than to spoil Newcastle's end to the regular season party.
Central Coast already played spoiler for a finals-bound team last week, denying Auckland any chance of finishing first with a 1-0 upset on the rad, with Ali Auglah’s first-half strike proving the difference.