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

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

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.

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

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.

Alou Kuol and Ryan Edmunson both look set to miss this game with injuries.