Auckland FC vs Central Coast Mariners Tips & Predictions - Auckland to ease past struggling Mariners

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 13 Mar 2025 05:03

Andrew Hendrie 13 Mar 2025

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Auckland FC vs Central Coast Mariners predictions for Sunday's A-League game
Mariners are on a five-game losing streak
Mariners have conceded 3+ goals in their last three A-League games
Auckland have won seven of their last 10 home games
The match is scheduled for kick off at 3.00pm AEDT on Sunday March 16

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Auckland host Central Coast on Sunday (Photo by Getty Images)

Auckland FC vs Central Coast Mariners Tips & Predictions

Auckland FC will be aiming to return to the winners circle when they welcome the slumping Central Coast Mariners to Go Media Stadium on Sunday.

Auckland FC vs Central Coast Mariners Tips & Predictions
Head To Head
Auckland FC Form
Auckland FC Team News
Central Coast Mariners Form
Central Coast Mariners Team News

It's been a tough season for two-time reigning premiers Central Coast and I'm prepared to put a line through them in terms of the top six. The Mariners come into this encounter on the back of a five-game losing streak in all competitions, conceding 10 goals and scoring just once in their last three A-League outings.

Not exactly the form line you want to bring across the ditch for a clash with the league leaders. Auckland are unbeaten in their last eight games, but they've drawn two on the bounce, so this represents a great chance for the Kiwi club to get back to winning ways. I'm backing Auckland to win with Over 1.5 goals as the best bet for this showdown, while I always like backing the best defensive team in the competition to win to nil at home against a struggling lower-half side.

Auckland are unbeaten in their last eight games
Auckland have won seven of their last 10 home games
Auckland have the equal-best defence in the league
Mariners have lost their last five games
Mariners have conceded 3+ goals in their last three A-League games
Mariners have only scored one goal in their last three games

Head To Head

Auckland demolished Central Coast 4-1 in Gosford in the only previous meeting between the teams back in Round 10.

Auckland FC Form

Auckland have seen their lead at the top of the table reduced to six points after back-to-back draws heading into this contest.

Steve Corica's side were on a four-match winning streak before a thrilling 4-4 draw at home against Adelaide and a 1-1 share of the spoils on the road last week to the in-form Newcastle Jets.

With seven wins from 10 home games (and just one defeat) this season, Auckland will be confident of returning to winning ways on Sunday.

Auckland FC Team News

There's a couple of key outs for Auckland here, with midfielder Louis Verstaete and defender Nando Pijnaker both suspended.

Central Coast Mariners Form

A team like the Mariners were always going to find it difficult backing up consecutive Grand Final triumphs and juggling Asian Champions League commitments this season.

Central Coast look cooked for 2024/25 and come into this clash having lost five matches on the trot - including three straight in the A-League in which they've leaked 10 goals and scored just once.

The Mariners have lost 4-0 to the Wanderers, 3-1 against Western United and 3-0 to Melbourne Victory across their last three outings, dropping to 10th on the ladder and 10 points adrift of the finals.