Aust. A-League
2021-05-27 - Macarthur Bulls vs Central Coast Mariners
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : Australia : A-League
Venue : Campbelltown Stadium
Thursday 27th May 2021, 1905hrs
Thursday evening’s hosts, Macarthur, will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the A-League to seven matches when they play host to Central Coast Mariners at the Campbelltown Stadium with both teams eager to stay in touch with the top two teams in the Australian top flight.
Macarthur currently occupy 5th place in the A-League standings thanks to recent wins against Melbourne Victory in home and away victories while also picking up important points in draws with Newcastle jets, Melbourne City and home and away stalemates with Perth Glory.
The bigger picture shows that Macarthur have lost just two of their last 11 games overall, while form on home turf has also been steady as Macarthur possess a reasonable home record of 4-4-3 18/15.
It should also be noted that Macarthur got off to a slow start at home as the hosts failed to win any of their opening four matches but they’ve since bounced back as they’ve lost just one of their subsequent seven games, winning four of these as well.
Former Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest striker, Matt Derbyshire, is the one to watch for Macarthur as he’s plundered 14 goals to date.
Central Coast Mariners sit level on points with Macarthur in 4th place but the visitors have struggled for wins in recent weeks in the A-League despite their current lofty position, picking up just the one win out of their last eight matches overall.
That solitary success came in the shape of a narrow 1-0 win away from home at Newcastle Jets but three defeats within this period against Western United, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City may be the product of The Mariners running out of steam.
Central Coast have also struggled for results away from home too as the visitors have gained just one win from their previous seven outings on their travels and also failing to score in four of these seven games as well.
By contrast to their host’s home form at the start of the season, Central Coast had won their opening three matches on the trot away from home with victories at Macarthur, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix but they’ve since slumped to just two wins from their subsequent nine matches on the road.
The Betting Verdict
Macarthur with the handicap therefore looks the best option.
The Pick :
Macarthur 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
