Second takes on third in the first midweek game back after the FIFA international break.
Home side Brisbane Roar should have closed the gap on league leaders Adelaide United when they coughed up a plethora of chances against the Newcastle Jets on Saturday night and coach Ange Postecoglou will have been on their backs about their wayward finishing this week.
27 shots yielded just one goal which was not enough to overcome a plucky Jets outfit but if they can recreate that form tomorrow night, then the Central Coast Mariners may be in for a tough evening.
Things are going well in the Mariners camp with Graham Arnold leading the club to third place where they are just a point behind the Roar but with a game in hand following their bye last week.
Before that, they won three of four, allowing them move up the table but I doubt they can do enough to get over the Roar who have been dominating matches in recent weeks but just need some polish to finish off the brilliant work in midfield from the likes of Thomas Broich, Erik Paartalu and Matt McKay.
The return of Costa Rican forward Jean Carlos Solorzano may provide some bite in the attacking third as he, Reinaldo and Kosta Barbarouses will be looking to form a lethal rotating combination.
Verdict: Roar 2-1
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast MarinersDate: Wednesday, 20 October 2010 Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Local kick-off: 7:00pm (8.00pm AEDT) Referee: Chris Beath
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sport 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 11. REINALDO, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK *two to be omitted* In: Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (returns from injury), James MEYER (promoted) Out: Nil Unavailable: HENRIQUE (broken arm - indefinite)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk) *one to be omitted* In: Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Chris DOIG (promoted) Out: Brad PORTER (knee - indefinite) Unavailable: Nik MRDJA (back - indefinite), Brad PORTER (knee - indefinite), Trent SAINSBURY (knee - 2 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)
