Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United: Free tip and betting preview

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 10.30am Wednesday

Best bet

Adelaide United
2pts Evens BoyleSports

Match preview

Aside from a penalty-shootout success against Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners have been relatively untested in this term's Australian Cup and Adelaide United could prove a step too far in the semi-finals.

The hosts have enjoyed comprehensive pre-season wins over South Hobart (4-1) and North Shore Mariners (7-1) but they looked out of their depth in the A-League in 2018-19.

Central Coast finished bottom in the standings, winning only three of their 27 games last season and shipping an eye-watering 70 goals.

Their cause in the Aussie top flight will not be helped this term by key defender Sam Graham's loan spell from Sheffield United coming to an end and midfielder Aiden O'Neill returning to Burnley.

Adelaide, meanwhile, finished six places and 31 points above the Mariners last season and have looked in good shape in the cup, scoring nine goals in three games.

They have enhanced their midfield with the addition of Club Brugge's Riley McGree, who scored seven times on loan at Melbourne City last season.

Adelaide beat Central Coast home and away in the A-League last season and look overpriced to make it a hat-trick of wins by beating them in the Australian Cup.

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