The brand new A League Men's season kicks off with a rematch of last year's Grand Final, with Melbourne Victory looking to exact their revenge on the victorious Central Coast Mariners.
Last season's epic Grand Final was won by the Mariners in extra time following Ryan Edmondson's last-gasp equaliser with the English striker and Miguel Di Pizio both scoring in the extended period to secure a 3-1 victory.
The Victory will be hoping to avoid any late drama as they arrive in Gosford to get their 2024–25 A League campaign campaign underway, and build on last season's third-placed finish on the ladder.
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The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this A League opener, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest team news.
Victory vs. Mariners live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this A League Men's match in Australia.
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- TV Channel: —
Fans can tune into this season-opening match both live and on demand with a subscription to Paramount+, who are offering a seven-day free trial for new customers on their streaming service.
What time does Victory vs. Mariners kick off?
This A League Men's clash takes place at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford, Central Coast NSW and kicks off on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7:35 p.m. local time (AEDT).
Here's how that kick-off time translates to the various Australian time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Daylight Time | Friday, October 18 | 7:35 p.m. |
| Australian Central Daylight Time | Friday, October 18 | 7:05 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Friday, October 18 | 4:35 p.m. |
Victory vs. Mariners predicted lineups, team news
New Mariners signings Adam Pavlesic, Trent Sainsbury, Lucas Mauragis, Alfie McCalmont and Vitor Feijao could all come straight into Mark Jackson's starting XI, while Miguel Di Pizio and Ryan Edmondson surely have to start the match after what they did in last season's Grand Final.
Central Coast Mariners predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Pavlesic (GK) — Roux, Sainsbury, Kaltak, Mauragis — Doka, McCalmont, Tapp, Di Pizio — Edmondson, Feijao.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
The Victory have also made several off-season additions to their squad, with Socceroo Mitchell Langerak and Brendan Hamill likely to come straight into the starting XI, as is Nishan Velupillay to replace the departed Salim Khelifi for Patrick Kisnorbo's men.
Melbourne Victory predicted XI (4-2-3-1 right to left): Langerak (GK) — Geria, Hamill, Miranda, Traore — Valadon, Teague — Arzani, Machach, Velupillay — Fornaroli.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Melbourne Victory vs. Central Coast Mariners prediction
Given how strongly they finished in the Grand Final – scoring all three of their goals beyond the 90-minute mark – the Mariners will be hoping to make a much faster start to the season opener. With Edmondson leading the line and a host of impressive new signings behind him, it's hard to see anything other than a home win on Central Coast soil.
- Prediction: Central Coast Mariners 2–0 Melbourne Victory
A League Men fixture schedule this week
All times AEDT
Friday, October 18
- Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne Victory (7:35 p.m.)
Saturday, October 19
- Auckland FC vs. Brisbane Roar (3:00 p.m.)
- Newcastle Jets vs. Melbourne City (5:00 p.m.)
- Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Sydney FC (7:35 p.m.)
Sunday, October 20
- Wellington Phoenix vs. Western United (2:00 p.m.)
- Macarthur FC vs. Perth Glory (4:00 p.m.)