Perth Glory vs Central Coast Mariners Prediction: Adam to ace it

Managerless Perth Glory, who sacked their head coach David Zdrilic after gameweek two of the 2025/26 Australian A-League Men's season, lost again last weekend and head into their next game against Central Coast Mariners bottom of the table on just a single point.

The visitors, also with an interim boss in place, have experienced a mixed start, taking four points from a possible nine. Below are my Perth Glory vs Central Coast Mariners predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of Friday’s meeting at HBF Park (10:45 GMT, TNT Sports 2).

Team News

Goalkeepers Mark Birighitti and Cameron Cook (both knee), as well as Sam Sutton (knee), Zach Lisolajski (hamstring), Joel Anasmo (Achilles), Jaiden Kucharski (groin), Nicholas Pennington (soreness) and Luke Amos (unspecified), remain sidelined for the hosts, who have also been shorn of the services of Trent Ostler (unspecified) and Tom Lawrence (concussion protocols).

Football Odds

As for Central Coast Mariners, skipper Trent Sainsbury (Achilles) is still in the treatment room alongside Haine Eames, Will Kennedy and Diesel Herrington (all unspecified).

Perth Glory vs Central Coast Mariners Odds

Perth Glory are 9/10 to record their first league win of the season, implying a 52.6% probability of success, while Central Coast Mariners are 5/2, or a 28.6% chance, to triumph on their travels. The draw, which landed in the first two head-to-heads last season, is also priced at 5/2.

Anytime Goalscorer - Adam Taggart (PER) @ 11/10

An obvious selection here, but one still backing at just over EVS, in my opinion.

Glory striker Adam Taggart, who won the ALM Golden Boot with 20 goals in 2023/24 before 'only' netting 10 times in 25 games last season, kicked off the new campaign with a goal and an assist in his side's 2-2 draw with Wellington Phoenix on October 18, before he and his teammates were denied in defeats to both Melbourne clubs, City (4-0) and Victory (0-2).

Against a side Glory will be looking to finish above this term, I'm backing the 32-year-old to return to the scoresheet on Friday.

Today's Football Fixtures

Taggart has a decent goalscoring record against the Mariners, netting eight times in 19 appearances, and he was on target in last season's corresponding fixture, opening the scoring in a February 1-1 draw.

He also notched in their most recent meeting, a 3-2 extra-time victory in the Australia Cup preliminary rounds in May, and with the Mariners conceding five goals already this term, the Glory star will fancy his chances of adding to his career total against them on Friday.

Booking Points Over/Under +32.5 - Over 32.5 @ 5/6

These two teams both struggled last season, with Glory finishing 12th (last) and the Mariners 10th.

It could be another scrap for points against this term, so we could see sparks fly between them on Friday.

The last two head-to-heads, in May and March this year, produced 40 and 30 booking points, respectively, as four and three yellow cards were shown.

Glory have picked up 80 booking points (eight yellows) across their three league games, with all three producing at least 40 (for/against).

The Mariners have accumulated 50 booking points so far, and their first match against Newcastle Jets, a 3-2 win in Gosford, ended with 40 booking points (20 for each team).

Offers

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