A-League 2026/27

Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets A-League Round 1 Tips & Prediction - Jets to prevail in F3 derby

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Fri. 16 Oct. 2026 02:59

Andrew Hendrie 2 hours ago

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Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets predictions for Saturday's A-League R1
Goals expected to flow in Gosford, Over 3.5 tipped
Mariners boast young, inexperienced squad; Jets backed for all three points
The game is scheduled for kick off at 7.40pm AEDT on Saturday October 17

Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets A-League Round 1 Tips & Prediction

Newcastle Jets to win with Over 3.5 total goals are the main plays for Saturday night's F3 derby showdown in Gosford against the Central Coast Mariners.

Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets A-League Round 1 Tips & Prediction
CC Mariners vs Newcastle Jets Stats & Trends
CC Mariners vs Newcastle Jets Head To Head
Central Coast Mariners Form Analysis
Central Coast Mariners Team News
Newcastle Jets Form Analysis
Newcastle Jets Team News

I think it will be a big ask for the Jets to replicate their incredible minor premiership triumph from last season or even secure a spot in the top six. They've lost various key attacking outlets from last season, while juggling Asian Champions League commitments will prove problematic - they've already conceded 10 goals in two fixtures, including a 3-1 defeat at home to Gamba Osaka mid-week.

However, Mark Milligan is an excellent coach and one thing you can be sure of with this Jets side is that the goals will flow - at both ends of the pitch.

The Jets scored a whopping 55 goals during the regular season last term - nine more than the next-best, but they also conceded 39, the most of any team that finished in the top six.

So Over 3.5 goals is the main play for this encounter, while I still think Newcastle have enough quality to take home all three points.

Central Coast have one of the youngest average age squads (21.8) I can remember. There's some decent young prospects - led by Haine Eames - but I can't see them challenging for the finals this term.

Just not enough experience at all - some of these squad players would struggle to compete in the NPL, let alone the A-League.

Nikos Vergos is the Anytime Goalscorer play - the Greek striker has settled in well with two goals in the preseason and should lead the line to start the campaign.

CC Mariners vs Newcastle Jets Stats & Trends

Over 3.5 goals has landed in four of the last five meetings
Over 3.5 goals has landed in the Jets' last three games
Over 3.5 goals has landed in four of the Mariners' last six A-League games & last two friendlies
Newcastle finished 18 points ahead of Central Coast on the ladder last season
Nikos Vergos has scored two goals in three preseason appearances
A correct score of 3-1 has landed in three of the last 10 meetings

CC Mariners vs Newcastle Jets Head To Head

The Mariners lead the all-time H2H 28-21 over the Jets, along with 21 draws in the 70 previous meetings.

They split last season's three encounters with a win apiece and draw, with Newcastle registering a dominant 4-0 victory in the most-recent clash in Round 26 last term.

Central Coast Mariners Form Analysis

The treble-winning days for the Mariners are well and truly in the rearview mirror and the club will do well to avoid the wooden spoon this season.

Central Coast actually punched above their weight to finish in eighth spot on the ladder last term, six points adrift of the finals positions, winning eight of their 26 games.

John Hutchinson has stepped in as the new manager and he has a huge task in front of him with this inexperienced group of youngsters.

The Mariners were once again knocked out of the Australia Cup at the first time of asking in preseason, going down 11-10 in a thrilling penalty shootout against Sydney United.

Central Coast Mariners Team News

With barely any experience to call upon, it's a big blow to start the season as former Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury will be sidelined for the derby.

Japanese winger Taiyo Hisamatsu will also be missing, with the new signing still awaiting visa clearance.

As mentioned, Eames is a genuine prospect, while Andrew Redmayne and Storm Roux provide a bit of stability at the back. Lucas Mauragis also comes up against his former club, while Presley Ortiz will be hoping to translate his good form from the NPL into a possible A-League debut here.

Central Coast Mariners Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Andrew Redmayne; Storm Roux, Diesel Herrington, Noah McCann, Lucas Mauragis; Chris Donnell, Harry Steele, Haine Eames; Bailey Brandtman, Presley Ortiz, Ali Auglah

Newcastle Jets Form Analysis

It was a dream season for the Jets in 2025/26, with the club securing a domestic double by claiming the Australia Cup and minor premiership.

Newcastle ran rampant up front, scoring 55 goals as they finished top of the pile, five points clear of Adelaide with 15 wins from 26 games.

However, Milligan's side couldn't deliver their best football in the finals, bowing out on penalties to Sydney FC.

It's been a tough preseason for Newcastle - they lost in the R32 of their Australia Cup trophy defence to NPL Victoria side Preston Lions before 7-1 and 3-1 hammerings at the hands of J-League teams Kashima and Gamba Osaka in the ACL Elite.

Newcastle Jets Team News

It's been a bright start for new recruit Nikos Vergos, with the former Victory striker scoring two goals in three appearances - including mid-week against Gamba.

Vergos will be a central figure up front after the Jets lost the likes of Lachie Rose, Eli Adams and Clayton Taylor to overseas moves.

Newcastle fans will also be hoping Joe Lolley's hamstrings are ready to go, with the former Nottingham Forest winger signing on from Sydney FC.

Still quite a few injuries carrying over from last season, including wonderkid Alex Badolato and Oscar Fryer, who are both recovering from ACLs. Zach Clough is also sidelined after picking up a knock mid-week.

Newcastle Jets Possible Starting XI (4-1-4-1): James Delianov; Daniel Wilmering, Joe Shaughnessy, Thomas Aquilina, Joel Bertolissio; Max Burgess; Joe Lolley, Will Dobson, Zane Schreiber, Xavier Bertoncello; Nikos Vergos

Verdict

Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets

Newcastle should have enough class & attacking firepower to win this with Over 3.5 total goals.

Over 3.5

Total Goals

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