Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix Prediction: Eze to edge Nix to victory

After gameweek two, Wellington Phoenix were one of just three unbeaten sides in the Australian A-League Men’s, although the New Zealand club were afforded a kind fixture list to start the season, drawing 2-2 at reigning wooden spooners Perth Glory before beating Brisbane Roar, who finished 12th in the 13-team table last term, 2-1 at Sky Stadium.

Next up for Giancarlo Italiano’s side is a Sunday (06:00 GMT, TNT Sports 4) trip to Polytec Stadium, where Central Coast Mariners, who followed up a 3-2 victory over Newcastle Jets with a 2-0 defeat at Sydney FC last weekend, are their hosts. Read on for my Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix predictions…

Team News

Club captain Trent Sainsbury (Achilles) is still out injured for Central Coast Mariners, who have named the Houridis brothers, Alexi and James, in their extended squad this weekend.

Football Odds

Wellington Phoenix defender Tim Payne suffered a broken collarbone in last week's 2-1 victory over Brisbane Roar and was withdrawn in the 17th minute. Tze-xuan Loke, who replaced the New Zealand international at Sky Stadium, is expected to fill in for him on Sunday.

Payne joins Paulo Retre, Nikola Mileusnic, Nathan Walker and Ramy Najjarine (all unspecified) in the treatment room.

Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix Odds

The Mariners failed to win either head-to-head last season, losing their home fixture 3-0 last November before January’s goalless draw at Sky Stadium. Sunday’s hosts, led by interim head coach Warren Moon, are slight favourites to collect three points this weekend, though, with odds of 11/8 implying a 42.1% probability of success, with the Nix 13/8, or a 38.1% chance, to triumph in Gosford again.

Three of the last five meetings have ended in a stalemate, and you can back a fourth draw in six on Sunday at 9/4.

Match Result - Wellington Phoenix @ 13/8

The Mariners are a troubled club at the moment, so they're worth opposing, in my opinion.

I know they beat Newcastle Jets 3-2 in the F3 derby on the opening weekend of the campaign, but they could've easily lost that game as, with the score at 2-2, the Jets had a penalty saved, with the Mariners going up the other end and netting a last-gasp winner.

Today's Football Fixtures

The Nix haven't been tested too much so far, but four points from a possible six isn't to be sniffed at, and it has helped bring up some early-season momentum which could serve them well in Gosford.

Italiano's side went unbeaten in this head-to-head last season, winning 3-0 in Gosford last November before claiming a point in a goalless draw in Wellington in January.

It could be tight, but at 13/8, the visitors look decent value to pick up back-to-back wins.

Anytime Goalscorer - Ifeanyi Eze (WEL) @ 9/5

Off-season arrival Ifeanyi Eze, who joined the Nix from Iraqi club Al-Karkh SC, made an instant impression in the ALM, netting on debut in a 2-2 draw with Perth Glory. That was his only shot of the game, and against the Roar last week, he forced a save with his only effort of the match.

The Libyan has played the duration of both league matches this season, and with the Mariners conceding two goals in each of their ALM contests this term, he should get a few opportunities to double his tally on Sunday.

Offers

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