APIA Leichhardt vs Central Coast Mariners Academy Prediction & Betting Tips - NSW Premier League

Prediction published on 13/07/2023, 04:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 14/07/2023 at 19:45 in Football Predictions

League leaders APIA Leichhardt Tigers host seventh placed Central Coast U21. They begin this weekend with an eight point lead at the top of the NPL NSW table after 23 matches of the season. A place in the NPL Finals Series is looking more than likely. They are bidding to win a fifth straight league game since a 2-1 home loss to Sydney United last month. That was only their second league loss of the season and their only one on home soil. The Tigers have won eight out of 11 home league fixtures with 28 goals scored and just six conceded. Only Blacktown City have scored more home league goals than them but they have by far the best defensive record. Six of the last seven at home have been won with four clean sheets kept.

Central Coast U21 are seventh in the table and 20 points behind their opponents. They come into this match in good form with ten points from the last four league fixtures. Three successive matches had been won (two at home) before they drew 2-2 at home to tenth placed Woolongong Wolves in their last outing. They went behind early on in that game, recovered to lead 2-1 but Wolves drew level in the 70th minute. Central Coast aren't that great on their travels with only four out of 11 league games won. They'd gone three wthout a win before victory at Mount Druitt Rangers who only have two clubs below them in the table and lost their last three at home. APIA won the reverse fixture 2-1 in April and can complete the league double over their rivals.