Central Coast Mariners play host to Sydney FC in the second leg of their A-League Finals Series semi-final on Saturday.
The first leg in Sydney saw Central Coast Mariners come from behind to establish a 2-1 advantage ahead of the reverse fixture.
Match preview
Having won nine of their closing 10 matches of the regular season, Central Coast Mariners would have preferred their domestic schedule to continue.
However, participating in the AFC Cup final against Al Ahed not only kept them ticking over, it led to their first-ever success in the competition as they prevailed by a 1-0 scoreline.
In all competitions, the Mariners have now lost just once, coincidentally at Sydney FC by a 2-0 scoreline on March 30.
Nevertheless, Mark Jackson's side got their own back in the first leg of this tie, and in style too as they came from behind to record a 2-1 victory.
Although their cause was helped by Sydney having two players sent off during the second half, building an advantage ahead of this contest could stand them in good stead.
Sydney will be left ruing not building on the lead they held on May 10, with three defeats having now come in their last six outings.
On a positive note, they posted 7-1 and 4-0 wins in the matches preceding the first fixture with the Mariners, yet there is potential for all momentum having been lost.
As the top goalscorers from the regular season, though, Ufuk Talay will retain the belief that they can travel to the Industree Group Stadium and leave with their desired result.
That said, Sydney have gone four matches without recording an away win, a run which has lasted since March 2.
Team News
With Christian Theoharous having suffered an injury in the first leg, Ronald Barcellos appears likely to get the nod on the flank in his place.
That could plausibly be the only change made by Jackson, although Ryan Edmundson is an alternative down the centre of the attack.
Talay faces the prospect of making three alterations with Jake Girdwood-Reich having picked up an injury in the first leg.
Jack Rodwell and Corey Hollman also collected red cards, leading to a suspension, so Gabriel Lacerda, Max Burgess and Fabio Gomes may all be handed starting roles.
Central Coast Mariners possible starting lineup:
Vukovic; Roux, Kaltak, Hall, Farrell; Doka, Balard, Tapp, Barcellos; Nisbet, Kuol
Sydney FC possible starting lineup:
Redmayne; Grant, Lacerda, Matthews, King; Courtney-Perkins, Burgess, Brattan; Cacares; Mak, Gomes
We say: Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Sydney FC (Central Coast Mariners to win 3-2 on aggregate)
Having shown their superior quality in the first leg, the Mariners will expect to get the job done on Saturday. While we feel that Sydney will give another good account of themselves, potentially with a share of the spoils, we are backing the home side to do what they need to do.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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