Bottom-placed Central Coast Mariners host fourth-placed Brisbane Roar in a key A-League fixture, with the hosts desperate for points to climb the table. The visitors arrive with the league’s strongest defensive record, aiming to exploit recent vulnerabilities in the Mariners’ backline.
The contest kicks off at 08:00 GMT+0 on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Australia, which has a capacity of 20,059. Adam King will referee this regular season match in the Australian A-League, where both teams seek crucial points in contrasting campaigns.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
Central Coast Mariners struggle with consistency, suffering three straight defeats, and this Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar prediction today points to continued challenges against organized sides. Brisbane Roar boast the best defensive numbers in the division, conceding just five goals so far. Home advantage could spark the Mariners, but recent clean sheets remain elusive. Head-to-head trends favor tighter games lately. Expect tactical discipline from the visitors to control proceedings.
Central Coast Mariners Results
Central Coast Mariners sit rock bottom after a tough run, leaking goals regularly while struggling to convert possession into wins. Their early season victory feels distant amid current pressure. Warren Moon’s team needs a reaction at home.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 21.12.2025 | AL | Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners | 3-1 | L |
| 12.12.2025 | AL | Central Coast Mariners vs Auckland FC | 1-2 | L |
| 06.12.2025 | AL | Central Coast Mariners vs Sydney FC | 1-2 | L |
| 29.11.2025 | AL | Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne City | 0-0 | D |
| 22.11.2025 | AL | WS Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners | 3-2 | L |
Three consecutive home defeats highlight defensive issues, with multiple goals conceded each time. Draws and narrow losses dominate recent outings, showing competitiveness but lack of cutting edge. Away form mirrors struggles, often falling short in key moments. Points remain scarce, placing huge importance on this fixture. A win could spark revival given games in hand.
Brisbane Roar Results
Brisbane Roar enjoy a solid position in fourth, built on outstanding defensive resilience despite modest attacking returns. Their start surprises after last season’s disappointment. Michael Valkanis has instilled pragmatism effectively.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 19.12.2025 | AL | Macarthur FC vs Brisbane Roar | 2-1 | L |
| 13.12.2025 | AL | WS Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar | 0-0 | D |
| 07.12.2025 | AL | Adelaide United vs Brisbane Roar | 0-1 | W |
| 28.11.2025 | AL | Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory | 1-0 | W |
| 23.11.2025 | AL | Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar | 1-1 | D |
The recent defeat ended a strong unbeaten run, but clean sheets feature prominently in wins. Draws away against tough opponents demonstrate control and patience. Goals come sparingly, yet results hold firm through organization. Conceding remains rare, underpinning their top-four spot. Momentum dips slightly, but underlying metrics stay positive.
Head-to-Head: Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar
Recent meetings swing between the sides, with higher scoring affairs common until the latest shift. Home teams often prevail in this fixture. Patterns suggest competitive edges rather than dominance.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 24.08.2025 | CF | Brisbane Roar vs Central Coast Mariners | 2-0 |
| 02.05.2025 | AL | Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar | 1-2 |
| 03.01.2025 | AL | Brisbane Roar vs Central Coast Mariners | 1-3 |
| 27.01.2024 | AL | Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar | 2-0 |
| 21.12.2023 | AL | Brisbane Roar vs Central Coast Mariners | 0-3 |
Brisbane claimed the most recent league encounter away, breaking a Mariners streak. Earlier results heavily favored the Gosford side with convincing margins. Goal tallies vary, but defensive lapses decide outcomes frequently.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Lineups can change based on last-minute decisions or fitness tests, but these projected elevens reflect recent team selections, available squad news, and tactical preferences heading into this A-League fixture. Both managers are likely to field familiar shapes given the importance of the contest.
Central Coast Mariners
Redmayne (GK), Roux (DF), Donachie (DF), Paull (DF), Mauragis (DF), Ngor (MF), Tapp (MF), McCalmont (MF), Brandtman (MF), Edmondson (FW), Di Pizio (FW)

Brisbane Roar
Bouzanis (GK), Salas (DF), Ludwik (DF), Herrington (DF), McGarry (DF), Vrakas (MF), O’Shea (MF), Hore (MF), Dench (MF), Vidic (FW), Ruhs (FW)

Injured and Questionable Players
Several players will miss this match through injury, impacting depth particularly for the visiting side. Central Coast Mariners also lose key defensive experience.
| Team | Player | Reason |
| Central Coast Mariners | Arthur De Lima | Injury |
| Central Coast Mariners | Trent Sainsbury | Achilles Tendon Injury |
| Brisbane Roar | Nathan Amanatidis | Muscle Injury |
| Brisbane Roar | Marcus Ferkranus | Muscle Injury |
| Brisbane Roar | Stefan Klein | Injury |
| Brisbane Roar | Milorad Stajic | Hamstring Injury |
| Brisbane Roar | Jack Lauton | Injury |
Key Factors to Watch
Multiple aspects shape this bottom-versus-top-four clash, from squad availability to stylistic contrasts. Current standings amplify motivation levels. Tactical battles in midfield could prove decisive.
- Central Coast Mariners miss defenders Trent Sainsbury and Arthur De Lima through injury, weakening backline options;
- Brisbane Roar without several players including Milorad Stajic, Dimitri Valkanis, Marcus Ferkranus, and Nathan Amanatidis due to fitness issues;
- Sabit James Ngor leads Mariners scoring with two goals, offering threat in transition;
- Jay O’Shea and Justin Vidic share Brisbane’s scoring burden, each with two strikes from midfield and attack;
- Hosts endure three straight league defeats, conceding regularly;
- Visitors hold the division’s best defensive record, shipping only five goals;
- Home crowd at Central Coast Stadium could lift desperate Mariners;
- Brisbane’s pragmatic approach suits away fixtures against struggling sides;
- No major scandals disrupt preparations for either team.
Free Tips on Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar
Data from recent fixtures and historical clashes often uncovers edges in A-League matches like this bottom-versus-top-four encounter. Patterns in scoring, defensive solidity, and venue specifics help identify probable outcomes beyond current league positions. These tips focus on verifiable trends to guide decisions ahead of the Gosford clash.
- Brisbane Roar conceded only five goals across nine league games this season, the lowest in the division, supporting bets on under 2.5 totals or Brisbane clean sheets;
- Four of the last five head-to-heads saw over 2.5 goals in league play until recent shifts toward tighter affairs, but Brisbane’s away games frequently stay low-scoring with their pragmatic setup;
- Central Coast Mariners failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches, often conceding multiple times at home, highlighting vulnerability against counter-attacking sides;
- The natural grass surface at Central Coast Stadium typically favors controlled passing play, suiting Brisbane’s organized defense over the hosts’ direct approach in summer conditions;
- Referee Adam King averages around four yellow cards per game historically, suggesting potential value in over cards lines given both teams’ frustration levels in recent outings.
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Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar Prediction 2025
Brisbane Roar enter as clear favorites given their league-leading defense and ability to grind results away from home, while Central Coast Mariners continue to leak goals during a dismal run. The visitors’ low-concession rate, combined with the hosts’ three consecutive defeats, points toward a controlled performance from Roar. Expect limited chances overall, with Brisbane capitalizing on set pieces or counters through experienced players like O’Shea. Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar odds underline this disparity, yet the home side’s desperation adds unpredictability in a low-scoring contest.
This New Year’s Eve clash carries extra weight for the Mariners, needing points to escape bottom spot, but Brisbane’s organization should prevail narrowly. Underlying numbers favor under goals, as Roar rarely ship multiple while the hosts struggle to create consistently. A single decisive moment likely settles it in favor of the visitors.
Our Prediction: Central Coast Mariners 0-1 Brisbane Roar
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Brisbane Roar Win | 2.06 |
| Both Teams to Score | No | 1.95 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 | 1.77 |
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