Sydney United vs Central Coast Mariners Verdict
Sydney United have history, reaching the Australia Cup final in 2022. I think they are set for another giantkilling act by defeating Central Coast Mariners in the Australia Cup Round of 32.
- United have seen Under 2.5 goals in their last nine games
- Mariners have lost four times to NPL clubs in the Australia Cup
- Mariners have lost seven of their 10 Australia Cup R32 games
- United have won seven of their eight Australia Cup R32 games
Head To Head
This will be the first meeting between the clubs.
Sydney United Form
United are sitting in third spot on the NPL NSW ladder, winning 16 of their 24 games.
It's already been a successful month for United after they won a record ninth Waratah Cup trophy, beating APIA Leichhardt 3-1 in the final.
Miro Vlastelica's side bring a two-game winning run into this contest. Both were impressive 1-0 victories over fourth-placed Rochdale and table toppers Marconi.
United beat Northern Tigers to reach the R16 of the Australia Cup in 2025 before going down 2-0 to Sydney FC.
Central Coast Mariners Form
It was a disappointing A-League season for the Mariners as they finished in ninth spot on the ladder, six points off the finals.
Central Coast only managed eight wins from their 26 games and have slipped back into the lower echelon of A-League clubs after their dynasty at the top a few years ago.
The Mariners' best result in the Australia Cup was a runner-up finish to Melbourne Victory in 2021.
It's either hit or miss for Central Coast in this competition - they've reached the semi-finals on two other occasions, but have also been eliminated seven times in the R32. They didn't even make the R32 in 2025, losing in the playoff round.