Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix Predictions

• Central Coast Mariners are currently bottom of the league having lost seven games in a row.
• Wellington Phoenix have won three of their last five and are 4th  in the league.
• Central Coast have averaged a goal a game this season but have conceded 2.26 goals per game on average.
• Wellington have scored 27 goals this season, an average of 1.5 goals per game.

Central Coast continue to be cut adrift

Central Coast haven’t enjoyed their season so far, picking up just 13 points and now losing seven games in a row. In fact The Mariners have taken just nine points from their last possible 48 as they continue to struggle this season. They have won just four times this season and they look like a lock to finish bottom of the league once again.

Central Coast have scored 19 goals this season, an average of exactly a goal a game but their main issue has been in defence where they’ve conceded 43 times. They’ve conceded two goals or more in 13 matches this season, keeping just one clean sheet and the side look totally bereft of any confidence.

Wellington just keep on going

Wellington have surprised many this season, keeping pace with the sides chasing down Sydney at the top of the table. Phoenix have won three of their last five matches, with losses against Perth and Brisbane being the only drawback during their recent good run of form. They remain six points clear in the race for finals football though and should be in contention for the competition at the end of the season.

Wellington have performed well in front of goal this season, netting 27 times. This is well below the other teams around them in the league but they’ve been able to hold a better defensive record than the majority of sides, conceded an average of just 1.22 goals per game. Much of their success depends on the form of Ulysses Davila, who has 10 goals and four assists so far this season.

A win is needed by both sides for different reasons

Central Coast really need to pick up a win soon or they could find themselves truly cut adrift at the bottom of the table whilst Wellington need to continue their form or risk dropping into a fight to qualify for the finals series. Central Coast look devoid of confidence and we can’t see them finding a result here and, as a result, we are backing Wellington Phoenix to win on the full time market.

Wellington Phoenix should enjoy a fairly comfortable victory this weekend with Central Coast really struggling to pick up anything for the majority of the season. We think Wellington will keep a clean sheet and win by a couple of goals and we’re backing them to pick up a 2-0 victory,