- Newcastle United Jets have 3 losses in a row, against Kashima Antlers, Preston Lions and Sydney FC.
- Central Coast Mariners have won just 2 of their last 10 games across all competitions (D4, L4).
- Jets are favourites at 1.72, with Mariners 3.95 and the draw 4.2.
F3 Derby opens 2026/2027
Reigning Premiers Newcastle United Jets head to Polytec Stadium to take on Central Coast Mariners in the first A-League match of the new 2026/2027 season on Saturday.
Mariners enter the game on the back of a 2-game losing streak after a 4-0 defeat away to the Jets, but they're unbeaten in 4 games at home with 4 draws.
The hosts have lacked the clinical edge in front of their own fans so far, but John Hutchinson has installed a positive, youthful mindset to the Mariners and they look likely to play on the front foot once again.
Newcastle have more momentum
Newcastle's direct approach should test the Mariners in a different way to many of the games they've played this season, but Central Coast's positive intent could also make this a lively derby encounter.
Mark Milligan has given the Jets a more pragmatic outlook this term, but they still play a vertical 4-3-3 and thrive on transitioning from defence to attack quickly. Jets may not have the same identity as last term when they ran away with the Premiership, but there is still plenty of forward momentum for the visitors.
Eli Adams has been one of the Jets' more prolific players with 3 of their 9 goals across the last 5 games, and he looks the most likely finisher for the Jets.
Central Coast have plenty of attacking talent with Ali Auglah bagging 2 of their 5 goals in the same period and looking like the sharpest edge in the team.
An open affair awaits at Polytec Stadium
The odds for this clash have the Jets as favourites at 1.72, but the Mariners are also a force and the derby game factor makes a close game more likely.
The Jets aren't flying high with just 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats in their last 10 across all competitions, while the home side have 2 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats over the same span - a run that suggests inconsistency.
I'm going for the Jets to edge it in the end as I believe they have a bit more momentum for the new campaign, but the draw and both teams scoring also look likely with the inconsistency of both teams in mind.
Over 2.5 goals at 1.4 looks like a winner given the style of both clubs, while Both Teams To Score Yes at 1.42 is also on the radar.
Newcastle Jets score 1.67 goals per game on the road, but concede 2.83 on average so they're wide open to counter attacks while the Mariners have conceded 5 goals in 4 home games.
