3 minute read
Central Coast Mariners have the chance to win back-to-back Championships when they take on Melbourne Victory in Friday’s grand final.
The Mariners drubbed Melbourne City 5-1 in the grand final last season and have gone from strength-to-strength since then.
They have already wrapped up the minor premiership and AFC Cup in 2024, and have now set their sights on an historic treble.
Central Coast can be backed at 1.70 to win the grand final, while Victory are available at 2.05.
Victory will be out to spoil the party and have come good at just the right time following a poor end to the regular season.
The grand final has all the ingredients to be an exciting one which could go either way.
. What: Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory
. Where: Industree Group Stadium, NSW
. When: 18:00 (AEST), Friday 24th May 2024
. How to watch: Paramount+, Channel 10
. Odds: Central Coast Mariners 2.15, Draw 3.40, Melbourne Victory 3.30
Mariners in top form
Central Coast Mariners have been the stand-out team in the A-League this season and are now just one step away from another Championship.
Following a bad start to the season when they lost their opening four games, not many would have predicted the Mariners making the grand final.
However under the leadership of new head coach Mark Jackson, they rallied and lost just two more games in the remainder of the regular season.
They head into the grand final full of confidence after seeing off the threat of Sydney FC, but will be taking nothing for granted.
The Mariners do have a good record against Melbourne Victory and have lost just one game against them in the last six.
Three of those games have been draws, so extra-time could be a big possibility on Friday night.
If it does go beyond the 90 minutes, the Mariners are priced at 11.00 to win the game in extra time, and the same price to win it via a penalty to shoot-out.
The two games this season were tight and low-scoring.
The Mariners won 1-0 in Melbourne, while the clash at Industree Group Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw.
Over and below 2.5 goals in the grand final can be backed at 1.90.
Jing Reec got the goal during the 1-1 draw and can be backed at 3.10 to score at anytime in the grand final.
The Mariners have goals all over the park and Ryan Edmondson and Alou Kuol are the same price at 3.10.
Victory out to upset the odds
Melbourne Victory had not won in three games heading into finals, and not many would have given them a chance of going all the way.
However they stepped up to the plate when edging past Melbourne City in the Elimination Final and then Wellington Phoenix in the semi-final.
After being held to a 0-0 draw at AAMI Park, Victory then travelled to Wellington and picked up a surprise 2-1 victory in dramatic circumstances.
Chris Ikonomidis scored the winning goal in extra time and they will be out to cause another upset in the grand final.
Ikonomidis can be backed at 6.50 to score again at anytime, but it is Bruno Fornaroli, who is the real dangerman for Victory.
The striker bagged 18 goals during the regular season and will be out to make an impact in the grand final.
He can be backed at 6.00 to score the first goal of the game, or 2.87 to grab one at anytime.
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