Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners Prediction: Premier’s Plate winners to toast success in F3 derby

It will be party time at McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday (08:00 BST, TNT Sports 3), where Newcastle Jets will celebrate being crowned Australian A-League Men’s Premier’s Plate winners for the first time. Their opponents, F3 derby rivals Central Coast Mariners, are out of finals contention, and are guaranteed to finish between seventh and ninth.

Below are my Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners predictions, alongside team news and match odds, ahead of this final-round fixture.

Team News

Christian Bracco, Oscar Fryer, Alexander Badolato, Noah James (all ACL) and Thomas Aquilina (hamstring) are among those still out injured for Mark Milligan's Newcastle Jets side, but Joe Shaughnessy and Will Dobson are both available again.

Football Odds

Central Coast Mariners boss Warren Moon, who will depart the club at the end of the season, has named Miguel Di Pizio in his extended squad, following the attacker's return from injury.

However, club captain Trent Sainsbury, alongside first-team regulars Alfie McCalmont, Kaito Taniguchi, Diesel Herrington and Sabit Ngor, will all have a watching brief on Saturday.

Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners Odds

Newcastle Jets are 4/9 to pick up a first win of the month, implying a 69.2% probability of success, while Central Coast Mariners are 9/2, or an 18.2% chance, to claim back-to-back victories, following last Sunday's 1-0 success at Auckland FC, which secured first place for the Jets.

The draw is offered at 18/5, over 4.5 goals at 13/8, and over 10.5 corners at 11/10.

Match Result & Both Teams to Score - Newcastle Jets & Yes @ 6/5

The Jets may have limped over the line a little, failing to win any of their last three games (D2, L1), but a first-ever Premier's Plate has been secured, and they can now play with a sense of freedom on the final weekend of the regular season before going back into battle in the finals.

The Mariners can also take to the field without any shackles as they are destined to finish between seventh and ninth.

Today's Football Fixtures

So, I'm hopeful of an entertaining contest at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, with both teams getting on the scoresheet.

Ultimately, though, I expect the Jets' firepower to prove too much for the Mariners.

Last Goalscorer - Miguel Di Pizio (CCM) @ 10/1

Di Pizio was in fine form for the Mariners before his injury, scoring twice and providing four assists across the seven games prior to his 29th-minute withdrawal in February's goalless draw with the Jets.

The 20-year-old has missed his side's last seven matches, but he's fit enough to be named in the extended squad for their season finale, and I'd expect to see him given the last 20 minutes or so at McDonald Jones Stadium.

That should be long enough for him to make an impact, particularly if the Jets are a couple of goals to the good and lose concentration in what is, really, a meaningless game for the Premier's Plate winners.

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