Round 17 of the A-League season gets underway this weekend and what a season it’s been so far.
Five points separate 2nd place from 9th and with nine weeks to go there is still a heap of time for a lot of teams to put on a late season run.
It all kicks off on Friday night and as always, I’ve got you covered for tip!
Here is my preview of the A-League Round 17.
United will host the Phoenix and will look to put on a better showing than last week against Adelaide where they bottled a 2-0 lead.
Despite going down 2-3, Western United open as slight favourites over the ‘Nix at $2.40. The Phoenix went down to Macarthur over the weekend and it’s hard to split these two sides considering the lack of form either side is in.
‘Both Teams to Score’ market has hit in 14 of Wellington’s last 16 A-League matches which leads me to believe we will at least see an exciting contest.
I’m taking the draw here, there’s not a huge amount that gets me excited about either team so down the middle is where I land.
Back the Draw @ $3.35
After their defeat to CCM over the weekend, any shred of optimism I had for the Roar is officially gone.
They open as $3.75 underdogs to a Sydney FC side that’s won three in a row and it’s highly likely they make it four on Saturday afternoon.
The underdog has won four of Sydney FC’s last five A-League matches at Allianz Stadium but was that underdog the Brisbane Roar?
Despite that being a very strong stat that would’ve previously lead me to backing the Roar. I just can’t do it this week, I’m on Sydney to win but I don’t think they’ll run away with it.
If you take the Newy game out of it, the Roar only lose by 1 goal most weeks so a H2H play on Sydney is where I’ve landed.
Back Sydney H2H @ $1.91
I wrote Macarthur off last week and they went and proved me wrong.
The Bulls are sitting in 8th currently and are 6-3-7, the definition of hot and cold, this week they take on the 7th placed Newcastle Jets who have an identical record.
They’re $2.30 favourites against the Jets this weekend who are unbeaten in their last five games and I think I’m with Newcastle.
Macarthur have lost four of their last five at Campbelltown Stadium following a win and I cannot see them stringing two wins together here. Have I just put the kiss of death on them? Probably but I’ll be taking the value with Newcastle.
Back The Jets H2H @ $2.80
Top plays bottom in what is shaping up to be one of the more interesting Melbourne Derbys in recent history.
We only got 22 minutes of the reverse fixture this season, I probably don’t have to remind you what happened in that game.
We’re hopefully very short odds to get 90 minutes of football here and the Victory are $3.35 underdogs to City’s $2.02.
City are 10-4-1 this season and I really don’t see them going down to the Victory. City are 4-3-1 in the Melbourne Derby since 2020 and given how strong this City side is. I think $2.02 is value.
Just don’t throw a flare at the Goalkeeper.
Back City H2H @ $2.02
Seems like all they get are Saturday night fixtures at the moment.
The Glory will host the Mariners in another late night game on Saturday. Even though they went down to City last week, I’m backing them to win here.
The Glory are $2.85 under dogs but have looked like a much improved side this year. Not to mention three of the last four A-League matches between Perth and Central Coast have resulted in a draw. Those games were when the Glory were bad too.
Late night jetlag + a Glory side that can hang with CCM. I’m liking the home side.
Back Perth Glory H2H @ $2.85
To wrap up the round we have a 3rd v 4th showdown.
Adelaide are unbeaten in their last five games and are relatively short to beat the Wanderers who fought very hard in a heated Sydney derby last weekend.
Adelaide will be energised by their 3-2 comeback over Western United last week but this WSW outfit will be coming out with a point to prove.
Five of Western Sydney’s last six games following a loss have resulted in a draw and I think this could be the case here against an Adelaide squad that know how to score.
‘Both Teams to Score’ market has hit in each of the last six A-League matches between Adelaide and Western Sydney at Coopers Stadium which further makes me think that a draw could be on here.
Back the Draw @ $3.25