Auckland vs Central Coast Mariners Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Auckland, in their first ever season as an A League side, are running away with the regular season title as they now face last year’s regular season leaders, the Central Coast Mariners.

Kick-off date/time: Sunday 16th March, 2025: UK – 4:00am / US ET – 12:00am / Saturday 15th March, 2025: US PT – 9:00pm

How to watch on TV/online: UK – YouTube / US – ESPN / Australia – Paramount+

Auckland Team News: Verstraete suspended

Auckland centre-back Daniel Hall has returned to full fitness after an ankle injury and is available for selection but the league leaders will be without midfielder Louis Verstraete, who is missing through suspension following a red card last weekend.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Paulsen; Sakai, Smith, Pijnaker, De Vries; Rogerson, Brimmer, Gallegos, Moreno; May, Randall

Unavailable: Verstraete (Suspended)

Questionable: 

Central Coast Mariners Team News: Couple of injuries

The Central Coast Mariners are dealing with a few injury issues ahead of the trip to New Zealand this weekend as former Leeds United and Carlisle United striker Ryan Edmondson is sidelined alongside defensive midfielder Brad Tapp.

Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Peraic-Cullen; Roux, Sainsbury, Kaltack, Paull; Di Pizio, Eames, Steele, Mauragis; Doka; Vitor Feijao

Unavailable: Tapp (Injured), Edmondson (Injured)

Questionable: 

Auckland vs Central Coast Mariners Prediction

A League league leaders Auckland come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with an improving Newcastle Jets side in New South Wales last weekend in a game in which they did go down to ten men for the final 15 minutes of the match. They have endured a mid-season blip recently but are now unbeaten in their last eight matches. They now face a Central Coast Mariners side that most recently suffered a 3-0 loss to Melbourne Victory at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium the other day to continue their miserable campaign as they languish towards the bottom end of the table after what had been a magnificent season last season. Auckland are firm favourites for this one, especially with their home advantage.

Auckland vs Central Coast Mariners Tip: Auckland to win