Central Coast and Melbourne both come into their re-match of the league’s season opener on the back of victories. The Mariners put in their most professional and polished performance to date under new coach Graham Arnold as they triumphed 2-0 at home over Melbourne Victory last Friday night. While the Heart managed to notch up their maiden A-League win, beating North Queensland Fury 1-0 despite being out-played for the majority of the match.
Marquee striker John Aloisi should make his starting debut for Melbourne on Friday night, after proving his fitness in a 20 minute cameo as a substitute last week. The Mariners are unbeaten in their past five matches at Bluetongue Stadium, dating back to new year’s eve, and will be looking to keep that run in tact.
The last time these two sides met back in round one, Central Coast emerged victorious against an understandably incohesive Melbourne side at AAMI Park. The problem for the Heart is that, as a team, five weeks on they don’t look a whole lot more organised than they did in their scratchy debut against the Mariners. The Mariners are paying 2.25 for the win, which is the most likely outcome in this one.