Mariners can sail into clear water
A League 
/ Andy Morris / 04 December 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
Central Coast Mariners can claim second spot in the A-League by beating Gold Coast United at Skilled Park, writes Andy Morris.
Take Central Coast in this one - you're likely to get good value of around 2.92, while Gold Coast are unattractive at their odds of 2.36
The Mariners have already shown they have the measure of the Queensland side, winning their previous encounter 3-0 in September's round seven encounter.
Not only that, but Gold Coast have to try and shake off the blues following their 4-0 defeat at Melbourne's hands last week.
Mariners will be confident
Central Coast have also played the Victory recently, and a form line through the Melbourne team suggests they are eight goals better than United! Don't take that too seriously, but their 4-0 win over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium ensures they will go into this one confident of taking home the points.
Playing away from home will hardly cause the Mariners any major dramas, since last time they went on their travels they beat North Queensland 5-1.
They couldn't repeat that cutting edge up front last week, emerging with just a point from the goalless encounter with Perth Glory at Bluetongue Stadium. But they have an attacking line-up which should trouble Gold Coast.
What United really needed was a bit of luck with injuries, but they haven't been treated kindly in that regard - Joel Porter and Tahj Minniecon will both be missing, putting all the attacking pressure on Shane Smeltz.
Vukovic chasing ninth clean sheet
Up against him is Danny Vukovic, one of the best goalkeepers in the league, who is chasing a personal best ninth clean sheet for the season.
Take Central Coast in this one - you're likely to get good value of around 2.92, while Gold Coast are unattractive at their odds of 2.36.
Elsewhere on Saturday, North Queensland should be capable of at least sharing the spoils with Sydney FC.
The Fury had a good 2-1 win over Adelaide last time out, following two defeats to the Jets and the Mariners, while Sydney are badly in need of a shake-up after losing three in a row.
Sydney need to score first
Having been beaten by Gold Coast and Perth, they knew last week needed to be a step up if they were to keep pace with the leaders, but instead they played badly and were beaten 3-0 by Newcastle.
What will be at the forefront of North Queensland's minds will be the advantage of scoring first - Sydney haven't been able to come from behind in any game so far this season.
Sydney have looked frail at the back and lightweight up front in the last three games, and pretty much the last thing they'd want at this stage is to face a confident Fury side who have already won at the Sydney Football Stadium this season - Robbie Fowler's goal gave them their first win as a franchise.
Best option is to back the draw, as North Queensland hasn't shaped up quite well enough to back as outright winners in this contest.
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