Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United

After two draws to begin their campaign, the Central Coast Mariners return to Bluetongue Stadium to host Adelaide United this afternoon. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEDT.

Central Coast come into this game after making both Western Sydney and Melbourne Heart look like quality football teams.

Pasfield’s beard is the only real highlight of their first two games, after fighting for a draw against the Wanderers and an extremely lucky comeback against Melbourne Heart, Central Coast will be looking to this Saturday as opportunity to post their first win.

The Mariners will be wearing bright pink kits in support of Pink Ribbon Day.

Adelaide has radically changed their game plan this season, however no-one from Barcelona will be filing for obstructions of copyright.

Gombau’s side are possibly the most exciting team to watch; similar to Brisbane and Melbourne in their build up play, but also because their defenders’ acute awareness to always find the opposition forwards.

Some one would pass it off as growing pains for the Radelaideans, but if it continues much longer, will become a chronic disease.

Osama Malik was converted into a defender last week, and looked every bit out of place as Victory streamed forward.

Awer Mabil frustrated both the Melbourne Victory’s defence and his own manager as he sought to go one-on-one too often.

Expect him not to start, but if they’re chasing the game, don’t be surprised if he’s brought on to be brought down in the box by Nick Montgomery.

To the workhorse Central Coast midfielder, he’ll either be sent to the doggers by Adelaide’s passing style, or like the outside favourite at Lockhart Race 3, will knock off Adelaide’s jockeying midfielders causing either serious injury or a yellow card.

Either way, he’s some kind of equine, and I’m still trying to work out if he’s a horse or a donkey.

Adelaide welcomes back Isaias and Nigel Boogaard from suspension, however Daniel Bowles is not expected to play.

The Mariners are expected to have a full squad, save for Daniel McBreen whose loan spell/money earner at Shanghai SIPG does not end until the 31st of October.

The last time these teams played was on March 24 earlier this year, the result was Adelaide United 0-2 Central Coast Mariners.

Central Coast are set to play on their third Saturday in a row, while Adelaide are still yet to play on the same day twice, which is good because it would be a fixture list and squad nightmare.

Adelaide has four players in the top ten for yellow cards after two games, while the Central Coast, like a tourism guide to Australia, do not feature.

Central Coast Mariners have not had a win in their last five matches.

Adelaide United have not beaten the Mariners in the last 11 matches between the two teams.

The last time Adelaide United won when playing away to Central Coast Mariners was all the way back in January 2009, when they pinched a 1-0 victory.