The Central Coast Mariners are poised to face Perth Glory at HBF Park this Friday, February 7, marking another significant matchday as both teams strive for much-needed points in the A-League. The Mariners sit ninth on the table with 20 points from 16 fixtures, hoping to capitalize on Perth's struggles, currently anchored at the bottom with just nine points.
After suffering a 2-0 home defeat against Melbourne Victory, Perth is desperate to turn things around. Their last performance saw them concede goals from Nishan Velupillay and Santos, which raised concerns about their leaky defense. With the home crowd at HBF Park, the Glory will be hoping for support, but they know they must tighten up at the back to stand any chance against the Mariners.
On the other hand, the Central Coast Mariners is still smarting from their recent match against Newcastle Jets, where they let slip a two-goal lead to settle for a 2-2 draw. Nathan Paull and Arthur De Lima had initially put the Mariners in the driver's seat, yet game management issues saw the Jets snatch back two late goals.
Mariners' coach Mark Jackson has roster concerns, with several players sidelined. Midfielder Brad Tapp and winger Miguel Di Pizio are out long-term, and both Lucas Mauragis and Nicholas Duarte will miss the match too. Alfie McCalmont is recovering from injury, impacting the squad's depth. Nonetheless, the Mariners still maintain enough attacking potential to test the struggling Perth defense.
Perth Glory is similarly plagued with injury issues, particularly with the absence of veteran forward David Williams, who is sidelined until June with a cruciate ligament tear. Defensive prospects remain uncertain with Andriano Lebib and Lachlan Barr also nursing injuries.
Both teams have faced each other 52 times historically, with the Mariners edging the head-to-head encounters with 22 wins to Perth’s 19, alongside 11 matches ending as draws. Their most recent clash saw the teams share points with a goalless draw back in November 2024.
This season, Perth Glory has struggled significantly at home, losing eight of their last nine matches at HBF Park, only managing one win. Conversely, the Mariners have shown resilience with three consecutive draws but are still seeking their first victory since their strong start earlier this season.
The match kicks off at 9:45 p.m. local time (AEDT), providing fans various streaming options through Paramount+, who are offering new subscribers a seven-day free trial. Viewers can follow the match live or catch up on demand after the game's conclusion.
Prediction for the match strongly leans toward the Mariners securing the victory. A narrow 2-1 win is anticipated, particularly because of Perth’s struggles this season and the Mariners' attacking weaponry. With available betting tips favoring the visitors to win, there's also potential for both teams to score, making this fixture one to watch!