Aust. A-League
2022-12-17 - Central Coast Mariners vs Sydney FC
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : Australia : A-League
Venue : Industree Group Stadium
Saturday 17th December 2022, 1700hrs
Saturday evening brings us an all-NSW clash down under in the Australian A-League as Central Coast Mariners play host to Sydney FC at the Industree Group Stadium with the league still taking shape in the early stages of this new campaign.
Following recent back to back defeats on home soil to Macarthur and Newcastle Jets in 3-2 and 2-1 losses respectively, Central Coast will be eager to avoid a third consecutive defeat at home when Sydney FC visit but having managed to pick up just two wins in their last seven games overall, the hosts could well struggle again here as well.
Central Coast’s only highlights in recent times were wins against Western United 4-2 and an impressive 3-0 win away at 2nd placed Western Sydney Wanderers, but form at home has been fragile to say the least.
The Mariners have lost three of their opening four games at home, losing to Perth Glory, Macarthur and Newcastle Jets.
Onto Sydney FC and the visitors once again find themselves in the early mix for a possible place in the final six of the division and the play-offs but although it’s still early days in this new A-League season, they’ll have been boosted by their impressive 2-1 home win against the A-League leaders, Melbourne City, last time out.
Despite going a goal down, Sydney FC responded in positive fashion through former English league players, Joe Lolley and Adam Le Fondre, to claim all three points and although results overall have been a bit of a mixed bag, two of Sydney’s three league wins to date have been achieved away from home.
Victories on the road at Western United and local rivals, Macarthur, suggest Sydney FC will be a tough unit to break down on Saturday evening and the asian handicap odds for the visitors look appealing here.
The Betting Verdict
Sydney FC have won each of the previous three meetings against Central Coast Mariners and the Sky Blues should at least avoid defeat here as well, if not pick up all three points in this clash.
The Pick :
Central Coast Mariners 1-2 Sydney FC
