Auckland vs Central Coast Mariners Prediction: Cosgrove back in the book while Brook opens up at Go Media

After losing two of their last three home games and suffering a 2-1 defeat at Melbourne City last weekend, Australian A-League Men's leaders Auckland FC will be looking to return to winning ways at Go Media Stadium on Saturday (04:00 GMT, TNT Sports 1) when they host a Central Coast Mariners side 12 points below them.

Below are my Auckland vs Central Coast Mariners predictions, alongside all the latest team news and match odds.

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Team News

Once again, Auckland head coach Steve Corica has a fully-fit squad to choose from, but he could make changes to his starting XI following last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Melbourne City.

Guillermo May and Jake Brimmer are most likely to come in, should Corica decide to switch things up.

Football Odds

As for Central Coast Mariners, Bailey Brandtman, Ryan Edmondson and Jai Ajanovic have been left out of Warren Moon’s extended squad, while Trent Sainsbury (Achilles) is still sidelined.

Nathan Paull and Dylan Peraic-Cullen are available after returning from international duty, while new signing Nathanael Blair could make his debut after joining earlier this week from Perth Glory.

Auckland vs Central Coast Mariners Odds

Auckland, who are unbeaten in three games against Central Coast Mariners (W2, D1), are 3/10 to do the double over their opponents, having triumphed 2-1 in Gosford on December 12. The visitors, who drew 2-2 at this ground last March, are 15/2, or an 11.8% chance, to stun the Black Knights, with the draw offered at 18/5.

First Goalscorer - Lachlan Brook (AKL) @ 9/2

Former Western Sydney Wanderers star Lachlan Brook is enjoying a stunning first season at Auckland, scoring seven times across 16 league and cup appearances.

The 24-year-old, who struck nine times in 23 ALM games for the Wanderers during the 2023/24 campaign before leaving for MLS club Real Salt Lake, has already scored six times in the league this term.

Brook has found the net in five of his last nine matches, including all three this calendar year.

Today's Football Fixtures

The Australian attacker has opened the scoring twice already in 2026, netting first in a 1-1 draw at Macarthur on January 5 and doing the same in last week's 2-1 loss to Melbourne City.

He was also first on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory over Wellington Phoenix on December 6 and a 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar on November 23, meaning he has scored the first goal of the game on four separate occasions in the ALM this season, as well as in an Australia Cup quarter-final tie at Sydney on August 23.

At 9/2, Brook's a decent price to open up again for Auckland on Saturday.

Player to Receive a Card - Sam Cosgrove (AKL) @ 5/2

Auckland striker Sam Cosgrove is due a card, isn't he?

The 29-year-old received four yellows in his first seven ALM appearances, but he is now six games without a booking, despite committing eight fouls across that period.

Cosgrove is averaging 2.2 fouls per game for the season, and across his last two appearances, against Brisbane Roar (three) and Melbourne City (two), he's given away five free-kicks.

Nick Ware P/L 25/26 ALM Season (After GW13)

 P/L: +7.9%