Hellooooo Grand Final! It's the final game of the season, and the game that everyone cares about. The pressure has never been higher and a spot in history is up for grabs. Only two remain, the Melbourne City FC and the Central Coast Mariners. They have fought off all the competition and will be looking for just one more win in the 2023 season.
Melbourne City FC moved through the Semi-Finals by defeating Sydney FC with an aggregate score of 5-1. While the Central Coast Mariners fought off Adeliade United with an aggregate score of 4-1. Now, it's almost time for the big game, so make sure you are ready for some fireworks!
The most important thing you need to do to get ready is to ensure your A-League tips are sorted. And who better than former A-League star, Jake Barker-Daish, to take you through the all-important Grand Final clash and provide his A-League tips. Check out all our soccer tips below:
Match Winner
Melbourne City have been flawless for the majority of the season and by Christmas were 8 points clear with a game in hand. What has been impressive about them is the transition from Patrick Kisnorbo to Rado Vidosic which despite having the same players, a different voice can cause a shift, however, it has remained full steam ahead.
Central Coast have been one of the most impressive teams and surprise packages this season with Jason Cummings, Josh Nisbet, Brian Kaltak and Marco Tulio who are the backbone of this team. The firepower of City I believe will be too strong, even with the game in Sydney there is too much quality in City to not find a way to win this.
I like what the Coast are about, and they probably do feel they have an advantage with the game being in Sydney. Although, once the nerves settle and/ or if City get a goal up, it could show why City were so hard to catch all season in this game.
Jake's Expert A-League Grand Final Tip: Melbourne City
Correct Score / Total Goals
Melbourne City to win 3-1 is my feeling. There will be goals in this game and Central Coast don’t have much to lose. They also have the ability to break down Melbourne City, but I think the quality of City’s front three is too much for Central Coast and will open the door for Maclaren, Leckie and Tilio to all get on the scoresheet in the game. Central Coast’s likely scores are going to be Cummings or Silvera who has been a shining light at the end of the season. A total of 3+ goals in this game could be a healthy bet.
Jake's Expert A-League Grand Final Tip: Melbourne City 3-1
First Goalscorer
Jamie Maclaren an odds on favourite and for a reason. The best goalscorer in A-League history who has a good track record against Central Coast. But he also has the further benefit of being the penalty taker which with Melbourne City’s trickery in the box adds further value to Jamie Maclaren putting City up 1-0 inside the first half.
Jake's Expert A-League Grand Final Tip: Jamie Maclaren
Anytime Goalscorer
Marco Tilio is in a rich vein of form and has the x-factor that could break this game open with his speed, dribbling and creativity. Marco is finishing the end product now which is why he could be the big difference maker in this game and for Melbourne City. Still, he is only young but has accumulated so much domestic success so far in the league and I have a feeling he will be involved in the goals via an assist or scoring one himself. Awful sight for the Central Coast Mariner defence when he is up and running.
Jake's Expert A-League Grand Final Tip: Marco Tilio
We told you our A-League tips were on point! If reading our A-League Grand Final preview has got you all fired up, make sure you head on over to the Dabble app, get all your bets sorted and share your thoughts in the Banter channel.
