Action continues in round 18 of the Australian A-League as Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers square off at the Central Coast Stadium on Sunday. Warren Moon’s men head into the weekend in rejuvenated form and will be out to secure a third win on the trot for the first time since May 2024.
Central Coast Mariners turned in a fine show of fighting spirits last time out when they secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Brisbane Roar at the Suncorp Stadium.
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This followed a 1-0 victory over Melbourne Victory at the Central Coast Stadium on February 1, a result which saw their run of three consecutive league games without a win come to an end.
While it has been a difficult campaign for Central Coast, this upturn in form has seen them move away from the bottom of the table, as they now sit 11th in the A-League standings with 19 points from 16 matches.
Elsewhere, Western Sydney Wanderers were left red-faced last time out when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Wellington Phoenix on home turf after giving up their two-goal lead in the second half.
Gary van Egmond’s side have now failed to win four of their last five matches, losing twice and claiming two draws, while managing just two victories in 11 outings since the start of December.
Western Sydney have picked up just 17 points from their 17 A-League matches so far to sit rock-bottom in the standings, but they could move level with ninth-placed Perth Glory with a win this weekend.
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- With 17 wins from the last 38 meetings between the sides, Western Sydney Wanderers boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
- Central Coast Mariners have picked up 11 wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on 10 occasions.
- Western Sydney Wanderers are on a run of just one win from their last eight away matches since August 2025, while losing six and claiming one draw in that time.
- Central Coast have failed to win six of their last seven home games, losing three and picking up three draws since the start of November.
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers Prediction
While Western Sydney will be aiming to take the positives from their stalemate against Wellington and pull clear of the bottom of the table, they take on a Central Coast Mariners side who are on the up.
Moon’s men are unbeaten in their last four matches (2W, 2D) — their longest run of games without defeat since February 2025 — and we predict they will secure all three points in front of their home supporters.
Prediction: Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Central Coast to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – Yes (There have been at least three goals scored in seven of Central Coast’s last nine games)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in the hosts’ last six matches)
Edited by Peter P
