Sunday’s A-League 2016 Round 5 match is between Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners. The opening kick off is set to commence at 17:00 local time with the game to be played at Coopers Stadium. The home team Adelaide United are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners.
Both teams are the wrong end of the A-League ladder, having yet to register a win.
Adelaide will feel hard done by as they have produced some impressive displays, but haven’t been able to capitalise.
The Reds are missing key players due to injury which hasn’t helped matters, but still have plenty of talent across the park.
Sergio Guardiola has been great to watch, while Isaias, Tarek Elrich (pictured above) and Eugene Galekovic provide plenty of experience.
After conceding seven goals in opening two rounds, the Mariners have conceded just two goals in the last two weeks.
Paul Okon has worked hard on his defence and is staying true to his philosophy of playing attacking football by dominating possession and building up from the back.
Central Coast still have a long way to go and despite results not going their way, they’re improving every week.
KEY BATTLE: Sergio Guardiola v Jaques Faty
Faty (pictured above) endured a horrible start in round 1 for the Mariners, when they were 3-0 down to Glory at half time, with the Senegalese defender substituted.
But he has improved since then to help shore up the leaky defence.
Guardiola has been impressive up front despite not scoring but I feel this could be the day he makes his mark and opens his account.
The verdict
Adelaide are used to starting slow after winning the Championship last year despite being dead last after eight rounds.
This season they’ve been unlucky not to have won a game or two but should be too strong for the Mariners
Unibet Odds: Adelaide United 1.42 Draw 4.75 Central Coast 7.50
Tip: Adelaide United
Teams:
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) (c), 3.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Sergi GUARDIOLA, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 13.Marc MARINO, 14.George MELLS, 15.Ben WARLAND, 16.Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 18.Riley McGREE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.John HALL (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Ryan KITTO, 24.Jordan O’DOHERTY, 25.James HOLLAND.
Central Coast Mariners squad: 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 6.Blake POWELL, 7.Fabio FERREIRA, 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (c), 9.Roy O”DONOVAN, 10.Mickael TAVARES, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 13.Kwabena APPIAH, 14.Adam BERRY, 16.Liam ROSE, 17.Josh BINGHAM, 19.Jacques FATY, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 21.Michael NEILL, 22.Jake McGING, 30.Adam PEARCE (gk).
