Tuesday’s only A-League Round 12 match is between Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory. The opening kick-off is set to commence at 6pm with the game to be played at Bluetongue Stadium. The home team Perth Glory are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory.
Round: Tuesday, December 31 at 6pm AEDT
Stadium: Bluetongue Stadium
Head to head: Played 26: Wins: Central Coast 16, Perth 5, Draws 5
Previous encounter: Perth 1-2 Central Coast, November 23, 2013
Central Coast Mariners $1.61 vs Perth Glory $5.50 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Central Coast Mariners $1.63 vs Perth Glory $5.25 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison:
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| Central Coast Mariners | 1.61 | 1.63 | 1.63 | 1.63 | 1.61 | 1.67 |
| Draw | 3.75 | 3.70 | 3.60 | 3.70 | 3.75 | 3.60 |
| Perth Glory | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.25 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.00 |
Teams:
Central Coast Mariners Squad:
1. Justin PASFIELD (Gk), 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Marcel SEIP, 5. Zachary ANDERSON, 6. Brent GRIFFITHS, 7. John HUTCHINSON (C), 8. Nick MONTGOMERY, 9. Mitchell DUKE,10. Marcos FLORES, 11. Nick FITZGERALD, 12. Liam REDDY (Gk), 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Anthony CACERES, 19. Matthew SIMON, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI *two to be omitted*
Ins: 6. Brent GRIFFITHS (promoted), 17. Anthony CACERES (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 22. Tom SLATER (back – 1 week), 23. Adam KWASNIK (knee – season)
Perth Glory Squad: 
1.Daniel VUKOVIC (GK), 2.Jack CLISBY, 3.Brandon O’NEILL, 4.Ryan EDWARDS, 6.Cameron EDWARDS, 7. Jacob BURNS, 11. Adrian ZAHRA, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15. Isaka CERNAK, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA MORAES, 17. Chris HAROLD, 18.Jack DUNCAN, 20. Danny DE SILVA, 22. Ndumba MAKECHE, 23.Michael THWAITE, 24.Matthew DAVIES, 25. Riley WOODCOCK, 26.Harry O’BRIEN
** two to be omitted **
Ins: 15. Isaka CERNAK, 26.Harry O’BRIEN
Outs: 8.Ryo NAGAI, 10.Jamie MACLAREN
Preview:
Past five matches
Central Coast: LWLWD
Perth: DLWLL
The Game:
Central Coast’s stuttering season continued last Monday as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to grand finalists Western Sydney. The defending champions, who sit sixth on the table, had chances of their own but failed to convert for the second consecutive away game. It was also the Mariners’ second successive defeat on the road. Midfielder Michael McGlinchey has since agreed to join Graham Arnold’s Vegalta Sendai on loan, though he is eligible to play in Central Coast’s next two fixtures. But the club have been boosted by the return of Bernie Ibini, who has arrived from Chinese club Shanghai East Asia until June.
Life under interim head coach Kenny Lowe got off to a subdued start at nib Stadium after Perth played out a goalless stalemate with Adelaide United last Sunday. The Glory, three points adrift of Central Coast, fired blanks against the Melbourne Victory the week before and they were off target again in front of their home fans. Perth did not emerge from their match against Adelaide unscathed, with Japanese winger Ryo Nagai suffering a hamstring injury. He joins Shane Smeltz, marquee defender William Gallas (calf) and Scott Jamieson (Achilles) on the sidelines.
The big issue:
Central Coast – Defence. The Mariners have built a reputation as one of the best defensive units in the competition since their inception. But the Gosford-based club have struggled in recent weeks, shipping six goals in just three games. Central Coast seem to be struggling without Patrick Zwaanswijk (retired) and Pedj Bojic (Sydney FC) no longer at the club and Phil Moss will be hoping for an improved performance from his back four.
Perth – Where are their goals going to come from? The Glory have scored just 10 goals in 11 games this season – only Melbourne Heart (nine) have netted fewer. With New Zealand international striker Smeltz struggling with injury, youngster Jamie MacLaren has had to shoulder most of the workload up front. The Young Socceroo has scored two goals in 11 appearances, with Sidnei and Nagai the only other multiple goalscorers.
The game breaker:
Marcos Flores – The charismatic Argentinean midfielder has gone off the boil in recent weeks after scoring three goals in the opening seven rounds. Despite his recent form, Flores remains the Mariners’ leading goal scorer and is still capable of deciding a match on his own.
Source: footballaustralia.com.au
