Central Coast Mariners

vs

Brisbane Roar FC

Preview

Central Coast Mariners

• Central Coast will hope Warren Moon’s appointment as head coach will be a turning point in their season, which has seen them fall to 12th in the A-League 2025-2026 standings with just eight points from nine games.
• Moon’s men have lost three straight games coming into this game and their home form is poor with one win, two draws and two losses in five A-League outings.
• They concede an average of 1.4 goals per game at home and look vulnerable against a Brisbane Roar FC outfit that can press with numbers.

Brisbane Roar FC

• Roar are third in the A-League 2025/2026 table with 15 points from their first nine games.
• They have been more solid than spectacular with two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five A-League matches.

Head-to-Head

• Central Coast Mariners have failed to win any of their last three home games, losing to Auckland FC here two weeks ago.
• Central Coast have lost four of their last five A-League games, winning none.

Key Players

• The main difference between the teams is that the Roar press collectively and sustain pressure by winning the ball back while the hosts rely on individual energy and on transition bursts.
• Key players:
  • Alfie McCalmont is Central Coast’s main goal threat with two goals in nine A-League appearances.
  • Jay O’Shea is the top scorer for Roar with the same tally.

Betting Insights

• Backing Brisbane to win at 2.08 looks the play here with the Roar’s greater form and cohesion under Michael Valkanis making them the more likely winners.
• Backing both teams to score at 1.8 looks a solid alternative play here as neither team has been good enough to keep the other out recently.