Five reasons why CCM v SFC will be a pretty fun time

They've had two weeks to prepare for this Sunday, now its up to the Central Coast Mariners to make sure they don't come home empty handed.

Here are five reasons why this week's game between Central Coast and Sydney FC will probably, most likely, be a great game.

Central Coast has to win
Sydney FC is sitting at the top of the leaderboard at a shared first place with Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United, so you know the boys in blue are going to be feeling good and feeling hungry to defend their position, which makes it all the more important for the Mariners to come home with three points. Speaking of threes, Sydney FC has lost thrice in a row to the Mariners; will they make it a fourth time?

Old Coach v new coach
Former coaching duo and best pals Phil Moss and Graham Arnold will be standing only metres apart, but for the first time won't be punting for the same team. Now that Arnold's young padawan has become full on Jedi, I wonder how their relationship will fare through the ups and downs of the football season. Although friendship is more important than football, how jovial will they be after the final whistle?

Will the Og-Monster come out again?
Although it's not quite the derby that Western Sydney v Sydney FC was, Central Coast and Sydney aren't all that far apart (which makes it a mini-Derby - we're clinging to it, okay?) and Sasha Ognenovski is known to get rowdy for a derby. He might again thrill fans with some unsportsmanlike conduct, and in moments of dull football, you can count on him to entertain.

Will Malick Mane finally score?
Come on, Malick! We want a goal! Senegalese striker Malick Mane has been teasing us for weeks and it's got to stop. In the net, please, sir!

There will be goals
Including finals matches, the Mariners have not drawn any of their last 17 Hyundai A-League matches, and they have scored the last eight out of 10 times at Allianz Stadium, which means that you can at least expect a goal or two. Although Sydney FC has won its last seven consecutive games at home, the Sky Blues have also conceded goals in each of them, so either way, it looks like the Mariners are in with a chance.


Who do you think will come out on top, if anyone, in the match between Central Coast and Sydney FC? Tweet us @TheFootballSack to let us know!