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The A-League returns to the fold with another round of fixtures this week as Central Coast Mariners take on Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday. Both teams have been inconsistent this season and will need to win this game.
Wellington Phoenix are in seventh place in the A-League standings and have not been at their best this season. The New Zealand-based outfit suffered a shock 6-0 defeat against Melbourne City last week and will need to bounce back in this fixture.
Central Coast Mariners, on the other hand, are in eighth place in the league table at the moment and have also struggled this season. The Mariners held Western United to a 2-2 draw in their previous game and will need to take it up a notch this week.
Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix Head-to-Head
Wellington Phoenix have a good record against Central Coast Mariners and have won 19 out of 42 matches played between the two teams. Central Coast Mariners have managed 16 victories against Wellington Phoenix and can trouble their opponents in this fixture.
The previous meeting between the two teams took place in November last year and ended in a 2-1 victory for Wellington Phoenix. Central Coast Mariners were poor on the day and will need to step up this week.
Central Coast Mariners form guide in the A-League: D-W-W-D-D
Wellington Phoenix form guide in the A-League: L-W-W-L-L
Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix Team News
Central Coast Mariners
Central Coast Mariners also have no discernible fitness issues at the moment and will need to field their strongest team this weekend. Moresche served his suspension last week and will be available for selection.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Wellington Phoenix
Clayton Lewis picked up an injury while on international duty and is unlikely to be risked in this fixture. Reno Piscopo and Alex Rufer are carrying injuries and are unlikely to feature in this match.
Injured: Reno Piscopo, Oskar van Hattum, Alex Rufer, Clayton Lewis
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix Predicted XI
Central Coast Mariners Predicted XI (4-4-2): Mark Birighitti; Jacob Farrell, Kye Rowles, Lewis Miller, Storm Roux; Max Balard, Oliver Bozanic, Beni N'Kololo, Josh Nisbet; Marco Urena, Jason Cummings
Wellington Phoenix Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alex Paulsen; Sam Sutton, Joshua Laws, Tim Payne, Scott Wootton; Nicholas Pennington, Louis Fenton, Walter Sandoval, Jaushua Sotirio; Ben Waine, David Ball
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Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix Prediction
Central Coast Mariners are yet to hit their stride in the A-League this season and have a few pressing issues to solve at the moment. The Mariners have a good squad at their disposal and will need to justify their potential in the coming weeks.
Wellington Phoenix were given a hiding by Melbourne City last week and could potentially benefit from the harsh reality check. Both teams are evenly matched on paper and could play out a draw in this fixture.
Prediction: Central Coast Mariners 2-2 Wellington Phoenix
