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While Central Coast are in the midst of five consecutive home matches, Adelaide face four matches in 12 days, including the difficult trip to Perth midweek that preceded this game and cost them badly with two key suspensions. This could be a decisive factor in this battle for second place.
It will certainly be a tough ask for Adelaide to go to Central Coast off the back of the Perth trip, especially against an opponent in Central Coast that has been one of the most consistent teams this season, particularly one which is growing in confidence going forward. With Adelaide missing their two central defenders, the Mariners will be hard to stop going forward.

MicPick ha scritto:CENTRAL COAST V ADELAIDE 1@2.08 188BET / OVER 2.5@1.94 PINNACLE
Terza contro seconda divise da quattro punti ma il Central ha due gare in meno, locali migliori nel rendimento nelle ultime dieci con 5-3-2 contro 4-0-6 degli ospiti che arrivano a questa gara reduci da due sconfitte consecutive e con i due dif centrali titolari out per squalifica.

While Central Coast are in the midst of five consecutive home matches, Adelaide face four matches in 12 days, including the difficult trip to Perth midweek that preceded this game and cost them badly with two key suspensions. This could be a decisive factor in this battle for second place.
It will certainly be a tough ask for Adelaide to go to Central Coast off the back of the Perth trip, especially against an opponent in Central Coast that has been one of the most consistent teams this season, particularly one which is growing in confidence going forward. With Adelaide missing their two central defenders, the Mariners will be hard to stop going forward.

Come riporta il locale per gli ospiti anche l'aggravio della probabile stanchezza visto che sono al quarto incontro in dodici giorni.

Alla vittoria casalinga accompagno l'over, Central terzo miglior attacco della League, 30GF-20GS in 19gare, Adelaide peggior difesa in trasferta 14GF-18GS in 10gare e come scritto sopra con i due regular centrebacks squalificati.

Reds defender Iain Fyfe is free to face the Central Coast Mariners on Boxing Day after it was confirmed he is only carrying four yellow cards heading into the December 26 match.

Fyfe received a yellow card in the 43rd minute of the match against Perth Glory last night, which was listed and reported to be his fifth booking, meaning an automatic one match suspension.

However Football Federation Australia (FFA) this morning confirmed it was only Fyfe’s fourth card of the season, not his fifth, leaving him eligible to take on the Mariners

Melbourne's road to Victory is suddenly paved with injury tensions
MELBOURNE VICTORY'S squad depth will be tested to the limit during the next five weeks as the club battles its way through injury and suspensions and a fixture pile-up as it pushes to consolidate an A-League top six berth.

Key midfielder Grant Brebner is missing for tonight's game against Newcastle Jets through suspension, so at least he will be available for the series of matches next month.

But Thai defender Surat Sukha joined the Victory's growing list of walking wounded for the Jets clash after injuring a calf during training.

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The versatile utility is expected to be out for two to three weeks.

Victory coach Ernie Merrick has already had to plan for this match without the services of Archie Thompson, his key striker, and Matthew Kemp, the first-choice left back, both of whom sustained injuries in the 2-0 win over Perth Glory before Christmas.

Thompson has damaged a hamstring, Kemp a groin, and both will be out for some weeks to come. Merrick yesterday was juggling with his selection options, but stressed that he had a number of good players he could consider.

''Billy Celeski is there, how well is Marvin Angulo doing in midfield? Up front Tommy Pondeljak, Mate Dugandzic and Ricardinho are all pushing for a place in the starting XI.''

Leigh Broxham, who has missed several matches through injury, is a possibility to replace Brebner in midfield, while Celeski is also expected to come back in after missing the Perth match. Youngster Diogo Ferreira impressed when he started against Perth, and could continue to do a job, either replacing Surat at right full-back or as a wide midfielder.

Thompson's injury is a major blow, but the Victory, having signed Danny Allsopp just before Christmas, can at least turn to the big striker in the new year knowing he is a proved goal scorer at this level.

Thompson's absence is a chance for Brazilian Ricardinho to prove his worth to a sceptical fan base, who have seen little of the striker since he joined the club in August. The South American has battled injuries, coming back from a medial ligament problem in the Perth match - but played a half in that game, and should be better for it.

''We're very keen to get the three points in this game,'' Merrick said. ''It's an important match with a lot of teams battling to try to qualify for the finals and I'm confident we have good players to come in and replace those who are missing.''

The availability of Abbas, plus the return of Ljubo Milicevic, Kasey Wehrman, Jobe Wheelhouse and Ruben Zadkovich from injuries and suspension, gives Newcastle's squad a far more formidable look than the makeshift line-up hammered 4-0 in Wellington nine days ago.