Preview: Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast Mariners - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are guaranteed a place in the finals series, but the club does still have the chance of finishing second place, giving them plenty to play for as well.

Match preview

In the penultimate game of the regular season, Newcastle Jets will be aiming for back-to-back wins after defeating Mcarthur during their most recent outing.

It was a hard-fought three points after Macarthur scored a 92nd-minute equaliser, but that did not stop Brandon O'Neill from grabbing a winner just three minutes later.

That effort is something that Newcastle Jets will need to take into their final two fixtures this season as the club continues to try and push for a place in the finals series.

Right now Arthur Papastamatis's men are three points away from sixth place, which puts plenty of pressure on this game as a defeat could bring that aim to an end depending on other results.

Newcastle Jets have won the bulk of their matches at home though which should provide some confidence for the men as they prepare to deal with the third-placed team in the division.

Central Coast Mariners have a guaranteed place in the finals series already, but considering the fact they are trailing Adelaide United by just three points the team has plenty to play for as well.

A victory has the potential of pushing them into second place while the team will also be hoping to take as much momentum into the finals series as possible.

After being held to a 1-1 draw against Melbourne City in their last outing, Central Coast Mariners will be hoping to get straight back to winning ways.

The team heads into Saturday with a three-match undefeated run which has seen them score an impressive eight goals in the process to showcase their attacking prowess.

Plus, the team will have some confidence from the last time they met Newcastle Jets as that game saw them win 3-0.

Newcastle Jets Australian A-League form:

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Central Coast Mariners Australian A-League form:

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Team News

Archie Goodwin is likely to be unavailable for the hosts his weekend due to injury, and there remains question marks over Jack Duncan who missed out last weekend due to illness.

Beka Mikeltadze is someone who will likely be involved in the starting lineup though as the current leading goalscorer for Newcastle Jets.

Yaren Sozer will be missing for the visitors this weekend due to injury, but after getting called up to the bench for the first time Anthony Pavlesic has been called into the squad again.

Bradley Tapp is another player that is not going to be an option in this match due to injury, stretching the squad even further.

Newcastle Jets possible starting lineup:

Weier; Aquilina, Jenkinson, Jurman, Ingham; Thurgate, O'Neill; Saito, Buhagiar, Mikeltadze; Sotirio

Central Coast Mariners possible starting lineup:

Vukovic; Roux, Triantis, Kaltak, McGarry; Nkololo, Balard, Nisbet, Silvera; Cummings, Tulio

We say: Newcastle Jets 1-2 Central Coast Mariners

Newcastle Jets have arguably got more to play for in this particular fixture, but the attacking qualities of the visitors could end up being too much for them in this one.

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