Central Coast Mariners currently trail the A-League leaders by eight points, which is a gap that they will be hoping to shrink this weekend when they make the trip to face Perth Glory.

The hosts are currently sitting in ninth place, but a victory this weekend has the potential of lifting them into the top six.

Match preview

Perth Glory have struggled with consistency as of late this season with five victories, four draws, and seven defeats at this stage, but at home they have been a lot stronger.

The Glory have only been defeated once in their own stadium in an A-League fixture so far, but that defeat did take place in their most recent match which they will now want to put behind them.

Ruben Zadkovich's men pushed themselves against the league leaders and goals from Jack Clisby and David Williams gave them a fighting chance, but ultimately Melbourne City had too much as they won 4-2.

Darryl Lachman being sent off in the 60th minute did add further pressure to his team which they failed to deal with, as Perth Glory conceded three times when they had 10 men.

Having all 11 players on the field is something that will provide them with a stronger chance this weekend, and a victory could take them as high as sixth depending on other results.

However, the visitors have their own focus as they are just eight points behind Melbourne City right now as they sit in second place, and keeping pressure on them is crucial.

After three games without a win Central Coast Mariners got their season back on track last weekend with a victory against Brisbane Roar in a game filled with penalties.

Marco Tulio had given them the lead until they were pegged back by Jay O'Shea from the penalty spot, but they clinched all three points from the same situation when Beni N'Kololo dispatched from 12 yards.

Central Coast Mariners have been strong offensively throughout the season with only the league leaders scoring more than them at this point in time, which they will want to bring this time around.

The visitors will also be wanting revenge from the reverse fixture at the start of this campaign, as it was Perth Glory who took all three points that time with 2-1 win.

Team News

Lachman will be missing for the hosts this weekend as his suspension begins, and that will see at least one change to the starting XI from a defensive perspective.

Salim Khelifi is another player that will not be available for the Glory on Saturday, but he is a long-term issue and although he has been training recently this match will come too soon.

The same can be said for Aaron McEneff, who is slowly working his way back to contention while Adam Taggart is an option but is being integrated back with limited minutes.

Moresche has been out of action since the end of last season, but he will be back in the matchday squad on Saturday for the visitors and will be an option for the team once again.

Meanwhile Brian Kaltak is also an option for Central Coast Mariners following his recent suspension, and he could slot straight back into the team.

Perth Glory possible starting lineup:
Cook; Beevers, Elsey, Koutroumbis, Khelifi; Forde, Duncan, Amini, Jelacic; Dowse, Ivanovic

Central Coast Mariners possible starting lineup:
Vukovic; Roux, Triantis, Katlak, Farrell; Nkololo, Nisbet, Steele, Kuol; Theoharous, Cummings

We say: Perth Glory 1-2 Central Coast Mariners

Perth Glory have been strong at home this season, and that should lead to them providing a stern test on Saturday.

However, the visitors are one of the strongest teams in the A-League right now, and they should be able to just edge this one.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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