[Napoleon Solo]

Central Coast Mariners v Queensland Roar

After an opening day defeat at the much fancied Sydney, The Mariners travelled to Perth hoping to kick-start their season. The first half was a pretty even affair, but Perth took control of the game in the second half, Stan Lazaridis and Leo Bertos proving highly dangerous down the flanks. Though both teams missed key players, it was the Mariners who seemed to suffer the most with the loss of influential midfielder Andre Gumprecht, promising striker Nick Mrdja and the so-far fleeting substitiute apperances of Tom Pondeljak.

With Tom Pondeljak having got a bit of game time behind him in the last two games, coach Lawrie McKinna may be tempted to pair him upfront with Stewart Petrie, who returned from injury last weekend. The Mariners have a terrible record when Pondeljak has been missing from the starting eleven, having won just one of the seven matches he missed. The Mariners are further boosted by the return of midfielders Andre Gumprecht and John Hutchinson, who both missed the Perth defeat. However, midfielder Damian Brown and vetran defender Andrew Clark will both sit out the game through injury.



After beginning the season with a hard-working performance in a 3-0 home win over the Perth Glory, Queensland travelled to a Newcastle side that had performed dissapointingly in an away draw at the New Zealand Knights. However the Jets picked themselves up and put in a great performance at home, constantly pushing Queensland and perhaps rather undeservingly losing the game. However, it was another very good performance from a Queensland team that were only missing midfield playmaker Marcus Wedau.

Queensland welcome back Marcus Wedau for this match, but are set to be without defender Stuart McLaren, which could be a big blow. McLaren was an ever present at the back last season, missing just 136 minutes of football all season. Youngster Ben Griffin is an able replacement, but it leaves Queensland with a lack of experience in the centre of defence.



I'm struggling to actually find a bet that I like for this match. The Mariners are yet to win a game and are struggling to score, but the return to fitness of Pondeljak, Gumprecht and Hutchinson will provide a timely boost. However, Queensland have won their two games so far, have been prolific infront of goal and have a virtually fully-fit squad, the only reason to oppose them being the loss of Stuart McLaren at the back. The value call is definitely with the Queensland Roar at 2.80, but I'll not be folloing them this time. No bet for me!