Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets Tips & Prediction - Jets set for ninth straight win in F3 derby

The box office Jets put their eight-game winning streak on the line against their bitter rivals, with the Mariners playing their best football of the season as they come into this clash on a five-match unbeaten run and on the cusp of the finals. But it's Newcastle who have rightly been making all the headlines, playing an electric brand of attacking football that has seen them score 41 goals in 18 games - nine better than the next-best side. However, it was their defence that shone bright last week as the Jets edged out Macarthur 1-0 at home, while the Mariners got amongst the goals in a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Wanderers.

The Jets are getting shorter and shorter each week in H2H markets, but I still like them for anything above $1.70, so backing Mark Milligan's side in Gosford in another high-scoring affair. F3 derbies in recent times have seen a truckload goals and this should prove no different. Lachie Rose has a decent recent record against the Mariners and the Jets striker can add to his season tally of eight goals here.

Eli Adams had a penalty in the 97th minute to win it for Newcastle, but Andrew Redmayne pulled off the save, Central Coast immediately went on the attack and Nicolas Duarte fired home the winner to send home fans into euphoric celebrations.

After draws with Macarthur and Auckland, the Mariners have put together a three-match winning run to be sitting in seventh on the table.

Central Coast edged out Melbourne Victory 1-0 and Brisbane Roar 2-1 before last week's pulsating 3-2 triumph over the Wanderers.

Warren Moon's side scored all of their goals in the second-half, with Ali Auglah and substitute Nathanael Blair finding the back of the net before defender James Donachie's winner in the 87th minute.

Newcastle have surged to the top of the table on the back of magical eight-game winning streak, with the young side comfortably possessing the best attack in the competition.

Lachie Rose and Clayton Taylor lead the way with eight and seven goals respectively, while Lachie Bayliss has impressed in recent weeks, including scoring the decisive goal in last week's 1-0 victory over Macarthur at home.

Baylis has now scored five goals in his last five games, with the Jets targeting a ninth straight win on Saturday, which would put them within striking distance of the Wanderers' A-League record of 10.

After the match, Mark Milligan revealed Bayliss is on the radar of New Zealand to head to this year's FIFA World Cup.