Bitesize Prediction: Western United vs Central Coast Mariners – 29/01/25

Competition: A-League

Market: Noah Botic over 0.5 shots on target

Odds: 4/9 @ 1xBet

Looking to shore up their spot in the play-off chase, Western United will welcome Central Coast to Irobbark Field on Wednesday morning.

Starting with the hosts, while Western United might have spent the whole of last season battling it out at the foot of the A-League standings, John Aloisi’s men have come roaring back in a remarkable fashion. Putting in another dominant display last week as they claimed a 3-1 victory against Newcastle, the Melbourne-based outfit are enjoying what has become quite the flurry. Opening Wednesday’s showdown sat in the play-off places, the former Brisbane boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Looking to shore up their spot in the top-six chase here, Western United have won six of their previous seven A-League appearances. Getting the New Year underway with a dramatic 3-2 win against Perth, Aloisi’s side have also found a real clinical edge in the final third. Claiming a sensational 4-0 romp against Auckland last month, Wednesday’s hosts have notched at least a pair of goals in five of their last seven outings.

As for the visitors, although Central Coast might have made real history last season as they successfully defended their A-League crown, the Mariners have failed to find any kind of stability this time around. Forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Wellington last time out, Mark Jackson’s men have have won just a pair of their previous eight domestic showdowns. Sat in the bottom-half of the A-League standings and facing an uphill battle in the race to clinch their own respective play-off spot, Wednesday’s guests have failed to record consecutive domestic victories since May 2024. However, despite facing a tough challenge here, Central Coast do hold a dominant record against the midweek hosts. In fact, the defending A-League champions have won all of their previous five meeting against Western United – a run that stems back to a 2-2 stalemate back in April 2022.

Bet: Noah Botic over 0.5 shots on target against Central Coast Mariners 4/9 for Wednesday’s A-League battle @ 1xBet