The Hyundai A-League season continues for Week 14 with a full five game round as we hit the half-way point in the competition.
Things kick off on Friday night (AEST) with Melbourne Victory short favourites to beat the bottom-of-the-ladder Central Coast Mariners before three Saturday games including a likely easy win for fourth-placed Sydney FC at home against the Jets.
Melbourne City host the Western Sydney Wanderers in Saturday’s second in a blockbuster third hosts second clash, before Adelaide United travel to Perth to take on the Glory in another tough-to-call match-up.
Sunday has the week’s closer with Wellington Phoenix at longer odds to defeat current table toppers the Brisbane Roar who are currently equal on eight wins for the season with the Wanderers after the opening 13 weeks of play.
Check out our top Week 14 odds as well as our exclusive soccer Footy Freaks markets for this round of the A-League!
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory
Simonds Stadium, Friday January 8, 7:40pm (AEST)
The Mariners are bottom of the table with just two wins so far this season, one of which came last week when defeating Wellington 3 – 1 on New Year’s Eve. They shoot for back-to-back victories then at home against defending champions Victory, but are the unsurprising underdogs to do so. Melbourne Victory are fifth on the ladder with 20 points and six wins after holding Newcastle scoreless with their 1 – 0 win last Sunday snapping five-game losing streak – their first in the Hunter in over six years. They are back on track and can keep the good form going with another victory this Friday.
Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets
ANZ Stadium, Saturday January 9, 5:15pm (AEST)
Sydney FC are holding fourth standing after a two-all draw with Melbourne City last Saturday night. That followed their 4 – 1 thrashing of easy prey, Central Coast, in Week 12 and it could be a similar blow-out against Newcastle at ANZ. The Jets failed to post points against Victory in Week 13 and haven’t won a match outright since back in Week 4. Sydney are the obvious favourites with Newcastle out around $8, the longest odds of the week having set a new club record without a goal in their defeat to Melbourne.
Melbourne City vs Western Sydney Wanderers
AAMI Park, Saturday January 9, 7:30pm (AEST)
Second plays third in the round’s blockbuster in Melbourne with the in-form Wanderers travelling to AAMI Park to play City FC on Saturday night. Western Sydney tied nil-all with Adelaide last week so chase their first victory since their 2 – 0 success over the Jets a fortnight ago. Last week an injury-hit Melbourne City also drew holding on for a two-all result with Sydney FC following a two goal loss to the Roar the previous round. The Wanderers are on a 10-game unbeaten streak and will need to be at their best against City who have been scoring plenty of goals of late.
Perth Glory vs Adelaide United
NIB Stadium, Saturday January 9, 6:40pm (local)
One of the season’s disappointments, Perth Glory have a home game against seventh-placed Adelaide United on Saturday night looking for just their fourth win. They were defeated by current leaders Brisbane 2 – 1 last week and are after their first victory since 1 – 0 success over Victory in Week 11. United meanwhile backed up from a big 3 – 0 win over Wellington from Week 12 to tie nil-all with the hard-to-beat Wanderers on January 1 and are narrow favourites for this round. There were glimpses of a win-in-sight for Perth last week so this could be the upset to tip.
Wellington Phoenix vs Brisbane Roar
Westpack Stadium, Sunday January 10, 7:00pm (local)
First plays sixth in what should result in a win for Brisbane despite the Roar travelling on Sunday to play Wellington in New Zealand. Even though they top the table currently, Brisbane are fourth favourite in our early A-League 2015/16 Winners markets. They beat Perth 2 -1 last Saturday at home, their fifth straight win. They can extend that streak to six here with Phoenix coming off a 3 – 1 loss to Central Coast, who are last on the ladder, last round. Wellington haven’t won outright since Week 9 and could have trouble breaking the drought here.