A-League: Grand final re-match gets season underway

The new A-League campaign will get underway on Friday night when Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory clash in a repeat of last season’s grand final.

The Mariners came from behind to snatch a thrilling, late 2-1 win over Victory to wrap up an historic 2023/24 campaign.

Under the leadership of coach Mark Jackson, Central Coast won the Championship/Premiership double, along with the AFC Champions League.

Now they are out to defend their title, and can be backed at 5.00 to go on and win what would be a third grand final on the bounce.

Victory can be backed at 5.50 to win the grand final, so Friday night presents the opportunity for one of these sides to put down an early marker.

It may be the first game of the season, but it could potentially set the tone for the rest of the campaign, so both sides will be desperate for the win.

. What: Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory
. Where: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
. When: 18:35 (AEST) Friday 18th October, 2024
. How to watch: Channel 10, Paramount+
. Odds: Central Coast Mariners 2.30, Draw 3.25, Melbourne Victory 3.10

Mariners the team to beat

Going off what has happened in the last two A-League campaigns, the Mariners will be the team to beat once again in the 2024/25 season.

Key players like Josh Nisbet and Jacob Farrell have moved on, but the Mariners still have a squad capable of defending their crown.

Ryan Edmondson was a key player for the Mariners, scoring in the grand final win, and will be huge once again this season.

The influential midfielder can be backed at 6.50 to grab the opening goal of the game on Friday night, or 3.40 to score at anytime.

Alou Kuol also knows where the back of the net is, and is priced at 3.20 to score at anytime.

Both sides love to attack and there is a good chance there will be goals in this opening encounter.

Over 2.5 goals in the game can be backed at 2.00, while under 2.5 goals is available at 1.80.

New era for Victory

Melbourne Victory begin a new era under the leadership of new coach Patrick Kisnorbo.

Kisnorbo knows what it takes to win A-League title, having done it with arch rivals Melbourne City, and expectations are high.

It is crucial that Victory get off to a strong start, and three points against the Mariners would be the prefect way to get the fans on board.

In Bruno Fornaroli they have a striker that bagged 18 A-League goals last season and they could do with the same again.

The veteran striker is 6.00 to score the first goal of the game, or 3.00 to score at anytime.

If it turns out to be a tight, low-scoring affair, Victory can be backed at 9.50 to nick the game 1-0.