Date/Time: 2012:10:12 12:34:45 Source: FOX SPORTS
Fox Sports football host Mel McLaughlin previews the clash between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Heart at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
Could the Mariners possibly snatch the Premiers’ Plate at the death?
- 1. WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (54 points, Goal Diff +17)
v Newcastle (A)
Need a win or a draw in Newcastle to secure the premier's plate in their debut season.
- 2. CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (51, +25)
v Melbourne Heart (H)
If the Wanderers lose, the Mariners will pinch the premier's plate on goal difference with a win against the Heart.
- 3. MELBOURNE VICTORY (41, +2)
v Wellington Phoenix (A)
Will finish third or fourth and have nothing to really play for in New Zealand ahead of their home elimination final.
- 4. ADELAIDE UNITED (40, +1)
v Perth Glory (A)
To finish third or fourth and host a home knockout final, regardless of the result of their Perth trip.
- 5. BRISBANE ROAR (32, +2)
v Sydney FC (H)
Hold their own destiny. Beat Sydney, and their title defence continues into the finals; lose, and they need both Perth and Newcastle to lose. If they draw and only one of Newcastle or Perth win, they could still sneak in. - 6. SYDNEY FC (32, -8)
v Brisbane Roar (A)
Like Brisbane, masters of their own fate: beat the Roar and they make the finals. Lose or draw, and they rely on others, like the Roar, above.
- 7. PERTH GLORY (31, -2)
v Adelaide United (H)
Beat Adelaide at home and they're in the finals. Draw, and they're probably in - if Sydney are beaten. Lose, and they're out.
- 8. NEWCASTLE JETS (31, -12)
v Western Sydney (H)
Must defeat Western Sydney and hope Sydney and Brisbane draw, and Perth lose, to steal a finals spot. If they draw, but Perth win and Sydney get thumped by four or more goals, they can also sneak in!
It all depends on, firstly, Newcastle doing the right thing against the Wanderers, and, secondly, the Mariners getting maximum points against Melbourne Heart.
But it won't be easy against struggling Heart side who will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Mariners looked back on track against Adelaide and are starting to build momentum heading into the finals.
It's certainly been a tough balancing act for the Mariners as the A-League and Asian Champions League fixtures continue.
Graham Arnold has even said that should top spot be decided on Friday night he may field a team made up largely of their youth side.
What will come as a relief, off the field, is the ownership situation appears to have been settled, and players and staff have been paid.
Heart were outplayed in Brisbane but were not helped by so many first-choice players injured, suspended or on international duty. Simon Colosimo and Patrick Gerhardt do return for this one though.
If they lose this one then it's an entire season without an away victory, and almost 18 months since picking up three points outside of Victoria ... just awful.
Mat Ryan and Michael McGlinchey return from international duty for the Mariners while Daniel McBreen again looks to be in the box seat for the Golden Boot award , his goal at Hindmarsh Stadium put back into outright top spot with 16 goals.
Speaking of goals, Central Coast has beaten Melbourne Heart on both of their previous encounters - three goals were scored in total across those two matches – all of them by right back Pedj Bojic. He hasn't played in a few weeks so may miss the chance to add to his tally.
There’s just no way I can tip against Central Coast.
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