Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Prediction

On May 25, the final of the Australian A-League will feature a clash between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory. Experts at 24hscore have prepared their predictions for this highly anticipated match.

Real-time Football scores and highlights.

Central Coast Mariners

The reigning A-League champions are on track to defend their title successfully. They topped the regular season standings, finishing two points ahead of their closest rival. Additionally, they secured the second most important trophy in AFC Asia by defeating Al Ahed 1-0 in the final.

Thanks to their high finish in the league, the team entered the playoffs at the semifinal stage, where they overcame Sydney in a challenging contest—winning 2-1 away and drawing 0-0 at home. The club is now just one step away from retaining their title but faces a tough challenge against a formidable opponent.

Melbourne Victory

Melbourne had a decent regular season, finishing in third place. However, their form dipped at the end, managing only one point from their last three matches.

In the playoffs, Melbourne Victory started in the quarterfinals, where they won a tough derby against Melbourne City via a penalty shootout, equalizing late in the game despite being a man down. They then faced Wellington Phoenix in the semifinals, drawing 0-0 at home and winning 2-1 in overtime away. Their determination is undeniable, and they will be eager to perform in the final.

Interesting Facts About the Match and Head-to-Head History

The teams met twice this season. The first encounter ended 1-1 on a neutral field with Central Coast Mariners as the formal hosts. In the second match, Melbourne lost 0-1 at home.
In 5 of the last 7 head-to-head meetings, the matches have featured no more than two goals.
Melbourne Victory has not beaten Central Coast Mariners in three consecutive matches.

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Prediction

In this matchup, Central Coast Mariners are slight favorites, partly because they are playing on their home turf. Given the stakes of the championship, both teams are expected to play cautiously. Consequently, a low-scoring game is anticipated. We suggest betting on a total of fewer than 2.5 goals.