26 Rounds of football are in the books and it is officially finals time in what has been another incredible year of the A-League.
With only six teams left in contention, we only have two games this weekend but they are guaranteed to be incredible fixtures.
Friday night we have Adelaide United hosting the Phoenix and on Saturday we are treated to another Sydney Derby which honestly could be the most exciting game of the year.
As always, I’ve run my eyes over the markets. Here is where I’ve landed for tips.
Here is my preview of the A-League Elimination Finals.
It’s win or go home on Friday night and the Phoenix will have their work cut out for them when they travel to Coopers Stadium to take on a United side who I’ve been incredibly bullish on for majority of the season.
Towards the back end of the season, Adelaide were the inform team in the league and I thought they were a chance of knocking City off the top spot. Their run into the finals was less than ideal however. Winning only one of their last five games and losing second place (and a week off) to the Mariners.
The ‘Nix were probably quite lucky to scrape into the finals with a win on the final day of the regular season, the only team in the finals without double digit wins have been very good in flashes this season but lack the consistency needed to make a deep run at the finals.
Adelaide open as $1.78 favourites to Wellington’s $3.75 and I think the bookies have nailed that. It’s not impossible for the Phoenix on Friday night but they are definitely going to have to show up in a big way.
It’s finals time, and I’m keen to find a bit of value, ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Adelaide’s last six A-League night matches and I think I will be combining that with a United win!
Back Adelaide United H2H & Over 2.5 Goals @ $2.30
This is going to be huge!
We’ve scored ourself another Sydney Derby here, granted we’d love it to be a Grand Final, but I’ll take an elim between these two sides any day of the week.
Both sides finished on 11 wins to finish the year but the Sky Blues stormed home with 3 wins in their last 3 games. The bookies are struggling to split these two sides and that gets me very excited. WSW are the slightest of favourites, $2.25 to Sydney’s $2.85.
This has been a game historically where the odds, form and whatever else you normally use to make a tip don’t mean a thing. These two sides hate each other and play their best football in the Sydney Derby.
The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has failed to hit in six of the last seven A-League matches between Western Sydney and Sydney FC but this is finals footy and I’m backing a thriller here. I’m on both teams to score and I’ll be taking Over 2.5 in this game as well.
‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Western Sydney’s last six A-League matches and I don’t know if WSW will be able to keep Sydney out.
My prediction for this one after 90 minutes? I’m backing the draw, this one goes to extra time 100%. Four of Western Sydney’s last five A-League matches following a loss have resulted in a draw. I can see this going to penalties.
Back the Draw, Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals @ $10.16