Season 20 of the A-League kicks off this weekend and there are storylines aplenty both here in Australia and across the ditch in New Zealand ahead of the new campaign.
It begins in Gosford on Friday night with the Central Coast Mariners out to repeat their domestic double of last season when they host the Melbourne Victory.
Saturday’s triple header starts in Auckland as the league’s newest club begins its competitive play by hosting the Brisbane Roar.
However it is tough to go past the Sydney Derby for the feature match of the weekend with the two clubs bringing in some big name recruits as they both chase A-League honours in this milestone season.
We have our best bets and match previews for Round 1 below so read on and see who we are backing.
While the stakes might not be as high as when these sides met in the 2024 A-League Grand Final back in May, there is a lot to look forward to in this match.
Both clubs have undergone some pretty significant transition in the offseason with the Mariners losing essentially their entire midfield as well as club captain Danny Vukovic among others.
However they did bring in Trent Sainsbury to lead their defence and retain the services of striker Ryan Edmiston so there is still a strong squad for Mark Jackson to work with.
Melbourne Victory bid farewell to Tony Popovic and replaced him with former Melbourne City boss Patrick Kisnorbo and he took them to the Australia Cup Final.
While it was not the most encouraging run through the tournament, they showed enough with a squad still in development to offer some hope.
Backing both teams to score in this match looks like the best value in this market, it is a popular bet in the A-League with no shortage of goals from plenty of teams and that is how we are going to open the season.
Both Teams to Score @ $1.75
Auckland FC enters the 2024/25 campaign as a literal unknown with no competitive form to go off ahead of their debut match.
However on paper they have assembled a decent squad for Steve Corica to work with and they have been handed a winnable first up assignment.
Brisbane is a team that could go either way but there are some massive questions on them defensively with a new and likely young central defensive pairing starting this season.
While the home team shouldn’t be sub-$2.00 favourites, it is a surprise to see them as ever so slight outsiders in this market and there is some value to be had backing them to begin their A-League life with a win.
Auckland FC to Win @ $2.60
Newcastle is set to begin a new era of its own this weekend when they play their first league match under new ownership with that long-running saga finally resolved.
With a bit of stability at the top, the Jets might finally be able to work their way back up the A-League hierarchy after some lean campaigns.
However, that is not going to be an immediate turnaround with Melbourne City up first.
Aurelio Vidmar has taken over the job permanently and if there is one club that will be somewhat immune from the competition’s austerity, it is the one backed by City Football Group.
After finishing in sixth place last season, City will be eager to bounce back this campaign and I like the value on offer for them to start their season with all three points.
Melbourne City to Win @ $2.20
There is no doubt this is the marquee matchup in Round 1 and there is plenty of hype around the latest edition of the Sydney Derby.
Even more encouragingly it is more than justified with both clubs bringing in big name signings this offseason with Juan Mata joining the Wanderers and Douglas Costa signing for Sydney FC.
However this might not be the match where either of those players have a chance to flex their muscles and show their skill set.
This is likely to be a bit of more of a defensive struggle with both teams happy to scrap their way through this one.
In a situation like this where you can’t split the teams, the draw is the best bet for the match.
Draw @ $3.80
While the Sydney Derby and the debut of Auckland FC getting a lot of the headlines heading into Round 1, the underrated contender for best match of the round is set to take place in Wellington.
Wellington was one of the more enjoyable teams to watch last season and go into this one as deserved favourites, but Western United have brought in some fresh attacking firepower.
It might be a bit closer than some expect but Wellington are the better side and should be able to find a way to win.
Wellington to Win @ $1.90
It’s fair to say it has been a busy offseason at Macarthur but an Australia Cup triumph should help alleviate some of those concerns.
However it was not the most encouraging performance in the de facto preseason tournament with the team winning their last three matches 1-0.
Perth are a real boom or bust side and sending them to the East Coast for a Sunday afternoon kickoff first up feels like a recipe for a sluggish performance.
The first team to score might win this game. and the price on the under looks way too high considering what we have seen from both these teams.
Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.80
2023/24
There is no such thing as a quiet offseason in Australian football and four months after the Central Coast Mariners were crowned champions, we are ready to go for season 19 in the A-League.
Since then, we have had a hugely successful Womens’ World Cup on home soil, another edition of the Australia Cup, local leagues producing dramatic finishes, plenty of big transfers across the board and the controversial Grand Final deal being redone.
There is a lot to look forward to this season starting this Friday when two of last season’s most exciting teams face off in Adelaide.
We’ve got you covered on the Ladbrokes blog all season long right through to the Grand Final at the end of May (wherever it may be played) so read on for our Round 1 previews and best bets.
The reigning champions have been handed an away to start their season, although it is likely going to be a very different feel than their last trip to Coopers Stadium.
After the Mariners emerged victorious 4-1 on aggregate in the Semi Final last season, both clubs have seen key contributors head for the exit door and some major question marks over whether they will be able to replicate their feats of 2022/23.
Central Coast lost Grand Final marquee marksman Jason Cummings plus key attackers Sam Silvera, Beni N’Kololo, however they had no dramas scoring in their most recent AFC Cup fixture, putting nine past Philipines side Stallion FC.
As for Adelaide, no player in the A-League will be a bigger loss for their team than Craig Goodwin, with the winger now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia.
In his absence, teen phenom Nestory Irankunda will take on a bigger role but expecting him to be able to carry the team from Round 1 is a bit much, and the Reds are undergoing a youth revolution which will likely see them taking a major step back this season.
The Mariners are in a better position heading into this game and look like the value play in this market.
Central Coast to Win @ $2.70
For the second straight season, Macarthur and Brisbane will face off in Round 1 with one of these sides having featured in the Australia Cup Final earlier in the month.
A fortnight ago, Brisbane fell to Sydney FC in their quest to claim the first piece of silverware of the season, but the signs of the Ross Aloisi revolution are clear in the River City.
The change in approach was evident throughout their cup run and one of the league’s most inefficient attacks has new life, lead by 18-year-old striker Thomas Waddingham.
As for Macarthur they have undergone an overhaul of their own this offseason with Mile Sterjovski getting the full time gig after taking over from Dwight Yorke in the midst of their wooden spoon season.
Macarthur looks like a side that has a very wide range of potential finishing positions this year, they could be competitive if a couple of things go right or they could struggle if injuries take hold.
Brisbane was an enjoyable watch during their cup run but the Bulls are the best example of Cup runs not translating to regular season success, so I’ll sit on the fence and back the draw before buying in on the Roar.
Draw @ $3.40
There is a reason Melbourne City enter the season as the clear favourites to win both the Premiership and the Grand Final, they have the best squad in the league.
There has been no shortage of turnover though with 10 members of their Grand Final squad gone and a number of new faces taking their place.
However when you have the resources of the City Football Group, you can bring in some handy replacemens including Jamie Young, Aziz Behich, Allesandro Lopane and German Tolgay Arslan.
Western United’s evolution from an expansion team to a generation next has seen their initial batch of veteran recruits that steered them to their first title moved on in favour of a number of younger players.
It starts and ends with the dynamic Brazilian Daniel Penha who is the metronome that keeps that midfield ticking over.
Both clubs saw their Australia Cup runs ended at the hands of Sydney FC and both should feature in the finals series but Western United just don’t look like they will be able to have the firepower to keep up with City in this one.
Melbourne City to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $2.15
Sydney ended their preseason on the best possible note, winning the Australia Cup a fortnight ago and will head into the new A-League season with their sights set on more silverware.
As for the Victory, 2022/23 was another nightmare campaign, although finishing 11th was an improvement on the wooden spoon from two seasons ago.
On paper they have a decent squad and as long as they can keep their key players fit they should find a way to be competitive most weeks.
However I like Sydney’s forward line too much to be kept quiet here, and the overs is the way to go , especially considering that has hit in four of the last five meetings between the clubs.
Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.73
Another A-League offseason means another major squad overhaul at Wanderland with Marko Rudan bringing in eight new first team players and another four youngsters on scholarship deals.
There is a lot to like about this squad on paper but it all depends on how they come together under the guidance of the coaching staff but there were no shortage of goals in their three Australia Cup fixtures.
Wellington have gone under the radar a bit in this preseason with new coach Giancarlo Italiano taking over from Ufuk Talay.
They were off the pace in the cup and there are a few red flags from their performances so far and I’ll back the Wanderers to commence their campaign with all three points.
Western Sydney Wanderers to Win @ $1.73
A new era begins in Perth with a change in ownership, coaching staff and seven new first team members.
Alen Stajcic had a great run in charge of the Central Coast Mariners taking them from wooden spooners to a third place finish and their first finals appearance in six years.
As for Newcastle, the Jets faithful are praying for a new era to kick off with plenty of uncertainty and a number of major departures.
I’ll be taking on the Jets a lot in the early part of this season and while Perth might not be title contenders, the goodwill from the appointment of a new coach and the recent purchase of the club should be enough to get them over the line in their first game.
Perth to Win @ $2.05
2022/2023
Look out Football Fans, the A-League is back for it’s 18th season! We are spoilt for football this year between the A-League, EPL and The World Cup. There is a lot going on in the world game and we couldn’t be happier.
The first game of the season kicks off on Friday night with a replay of the 2021/22 Grand Final and then we are treated to some great matchups all weekend long.
I’ve run my eyes over the games this weekend and you can find my thoughts and best bets below!
The last time they met it was a 2-0 Win for Western United in a pretty important game. The reigning premiers head to AAMI Park for what should be another classic match up between these two.
Despite previous matchups, City are very short favourites in this one and hits hard to argue. They are such a powerhouse in the competition and they should take it deep once again this year.
I can’t split them, yes the bookies think City will walk in but I’m not so sure.
One market I like is the under 2.5 goals. It’s the first game of the year, I could see a few cobwebs and rust that the boys might need to dust off.
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.00
This is a matchup I am very interested in. The Roar were incredibly hot and cold last year, Macarthur weren’t much better either.
They’ve both gone out and made big signings. The Roar signed Charlie Austin and Macarthur Daniel Arzani. This match should be an improvement on last year.
The bookies have the Roar just edging them out at $2.25 and I think I agree with them. I like the Roar’s chances in this one and I think that $2.25 is a good price for them head to head.
Back the Roar H2H @ $2.25
We are getting an F3 battle early this season! The two Cenny Coast teams will go at it in the twilight spot on Saturday.
Look out for the newest Socceroos superstar, Jason Cummings in this one. If you’re backing a goal scorer it’s hard to look past him.
The Mariners have won 5 of the last 6 of these match ups and I think I’m going to take them again.
Back The Mariners H2H @ $2.05
Sydney are back at Allianz for the first time in almost three years. They take on Victory in the Big Blue and it should not disappoint.
Despite their poor finish to last season, Sydney are favourites in this one and I don’t know if I can back them.
Their has been plenty of player turnover on both sides of the ball but I’m leaning towards Victory in this Week 1 fixture.
I’m expecting Nani and Tomi Juric to be the difference makers in this one.
Back Melbourne Victory H2H @ $2.55
Wellington will finally get to play a full season of home games after a disruptive few seasons.
Adelaide United finished incredibly well last season with five straight regular season wins before bowing out in the finals. They should look to keep that momentum going in this one but I like the home side here.
Wellington at home should really give Adelaide a run for their money and should put on a performance for their fans.
Back Wellington Phoenix H2H @ $2.50
Have The Glory done enough in the off season to turn it around? I doubt it.
Their is no mincing words with Perth, they were terrible last year. They finished with 4 wins to their name and a goal difference of -23.
WSW weren’t much better but they have cleaned house this season and look to be new and improved. The bookies sure think they will be a better team than last year, they go into this Sunday afternoon clash $1.62 favourites and I think they will win comfortably.
Back WSW -1 @ $2.65
2021/2022
The new A-League Men’s season begins on Friday and all 12 clubs are in action.
There has been plenty of moving and shaking in the offseason, several new managers have been hired, while a couple of big-name signings have added plenty of intrigue to the forthcoming campaign.
As always, we’ll be previewing each and every match right here on the Ladbrokes Blog and will endeavour to dig out all of the A-League betting value every week!
The new season begins with reigning champions, Melbourne City, in action against a youthful Brisbane Roar.
Have sewn up the minor premiership early, City actually stumbled their way into last season’s decider, having dropped points in four of their last five matches.
It obviously didn’t matter on the final day of the campaign, when Patrick Kisnorbo’s men put three past Sydney FC, claiming their first-ever A-League Championship.
They have retained a similarly strong roster for the forthcoming season, bolstered by the signing of Socceroo Mathew Leckie.
The Roar snuck into last year’s finals but were bungled out immediately, and they have lost the likes of exciting youngster Dylan Wenzell-Halls this season.
It’s hard to imagine anything other than a comfortable City win materialising this week.
Back City Halftime/Fulltime @ $2.30
There are few things better than a Derby in any sport, and we’ll be treated to one of the better rivalries in Australian football when the Wanderers host Sydney FC on Saturday.
The Wanderers were rather underwhelming in 2020/21, ultimately finishing eighth and never really shaping as a championship threat.
The Sky Blues have been the A-League’s benchmark for more than half a decade now, and they missed a hat-trick of championships when falling to City at the final hurdle last season.
They will begin this match as deserved favourites in A-League betting, but there is still plenty of meat on the bone at the $2.20 quote.
Back Sydney FC to Win @ $2.20
Neither Western United, nor the Melbourne Victory were able to find strong and consistent form throughout last season, and each will be eager to begin the new campaign on a winning note.
John Aloisi takes charge of the home side for the first time in an A-League match, and of course with new vision and structure, so too comes renewed hope of success.
The Victory meanwhile weathered their worst season on record, failing to beat a single club in overall standings.
For the three-time A-League champions, now led by one of Australia’s better footballing minds in Tony Popovic, the only way is up, but I will need to see something from them before backing them to win.
Back the Draw @ $3.50
We’re over to the nation’s west later on Saturday night, when the Perth Glory and Adelaide United reignite their rivalry.
All eyes will be one Perth’s marquee signing and arguably the biggest in the history of the A-League; former Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City man, Daniel Sturridge.
Sturridge lines up for the Glory following something of a stint in the wilderness, but his class and ability has always been apparent, and he is more than capable of single-handedly delivering his new side some success in 2021/22.
Adelaide are a model of consistency, and they won passage into another finals series last season.
They’ll be hoping to begin the new campaign on the right foot, but with exciting through the roof in Perth, I’m going to have something on the home side.
Back Perth to Win @ $2.35
One of the more intriguing Week 1 matches sees the Jets host the Mariners in the first F3 Derby of the season.
There has been plenty of movement at the Jets in the offseason, and given that it has been a while since they have returned strong and consistent performances as results, they’ll likely require plenty of time to find their feet again.
The Mariners are another club set to begin life with a new manager; Alen Stajcic left the post at the conclusion of last season, replaced by former player Nick Montgomery.
As one of the league’s smaller clubs, they returned plenty of pleasing performances and results throughout their last campaign, and they are a side who regularly seem to punch above their weight.
Back the Draw @ $3.35
Macarther FC enter their second A-League season with plenty of promise, but they face a task in overcoming an equally decent Wellington Phoenix outfit on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls returned an overall impressive performance to make the finals in their first-ever campaign, and while losing the likes of Adam Federici and Mark Milligan to retirement, they will be hopeful and surely confident of building on that foundation.
The Phoenix are forced to begin another campaign based out of an Australian hub, and while that did prove to be unideal last season, they still played with plenty of vigor.
I’m not anticipating a particularly high-scoring affair, but I am happy to have something on the Bulls to sneak home with the W.
Back Macarthur to Win @ $2.30
2021
Four months after a tumultuous campaign ended, a brand new A-League season kicks off.
In true Australian football fashion, the start of the season has been mired in chaos with the COVID situation in Sydney forcing fixture reshuffles before a ball has been kicked in anger.
With a shrinking salary cap, many teams are starting to turn towards promising local players giving the competition a breath of fresh air.
The 2021 A-League season also sees the league expand to 12 teams with the debut of Macarthur FC in the opening match.
We’re previewing every A-League match this season on the Ladbrokes blog so read on to find out who we are backing in the opening round.
Western United will look to build on their maiden campaign which ended in a semi-final defeat as they host Adelaide in their opening fixture.
The focus for Mark Rudan and company has clearly been on consolidation rather than re-inventing the wheel and with the Italian maestro Allesandro Diamanti re-committing to the club, it’s a huge boost for their prospects in 2021.
Adelaide only just missed out on the finals last season but have build a very strong attacking lineup that should bring plenty of excitement to games, especially the Toure brothers.
There are still a few questions about where they are defensively, but this could be a case of last team to score wins.
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.50
This match really could go either way considering the haphazard preparation both teams have had to go through with the fixture changes.
Brisbane was supposed to open their season hosting the Wellington Phoenix of Wollongong and City were supposed to visit Sydney FC in a repeat of last season’s Grand Final.
With the border closures forcing a reshuffle these two clubs will now kick off their seasons against one another.
Last season at this venue Brisbane pulled off the comeback of the season turning around a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 win.
Warren Moon has returned Brisbane to a much more free flowing style in preseason compared to what we saw from Robbie Fowler while City still remain as good as ever.
Expect plenty of goals in this fixture as both sides try to really put on a show to kick off the new campaign.
Back Over 3.5 Goals
The Wanderers have done their part to make headlines (and a few enemies) over the last few weeks starting with poaching manager Carl Robinson from the Newcastle Jets as well as James Troisi, Ziggy Gordon and Bernie Ibini from rival clubs.
While those players should have a decent impact on the Wanderers fortunes as they try to bounce back from a few forgettable seasons, they will need some time to find their footing in Parramatta.
Macarthur have assembled a decent squad with a few familiar names from at home and abroad with veteran striker Matt Derbyshire likely to lead the line from the start.
With the unknown of Macarthur and the Wanderers still looking to gel with their new setup, this could be a cagey affair as both teams are happy to avoid defeat in their opening fixture.
Back the Draw @ $3.45
Neither side has enjoyed an overly merry festive period with plenty of drama surrounding the two clubs many expect to compete for the wooden spoon this season.
A promising end to last season by Newcastle has been completely washed away by the club’s financial woes as well as the departure of Carl Robinson and a handful of key players.
The Mariners have undergone a fairly significant overhaul and still have some major squad questions to answer over the course of the season.
That being said, I’ll back the stability to win out.
Back Central Coast to Win @ $2.95
2019/2020
It’s back, five months after Sydney FC won its second straight championship, the A-League returns for the 15th season and 43rd national league competition.
Over the next 29 weeks we’ll find out which side will win the Premiers Plate and who will join them in the A-League Finals Series.
There’s plenty of matches to look forward to this weekend with the Melbourne Derby headlining the
For the second straight year, the A-League season gets underway with Adelaide against Sydney at Coopers Stadium.
12 months ago we saw them play out a 1-1 draw, although both sides would love to take three points out of this one.
Sydney has definitely strengthened this offseason and the acquisition of Kosta Barbarouses could prove to be a shrewd pickup by Steve Corica, giving the side another goal scoring option aside from Adam Le Fondre.
Adelaide on the other hand will give Gertjan Verbeek his first league match at home and they will be hoping for plenty of goals from big signing Kristian Opseth and FFA Cup breakout star Al Hassan Toure.
With both sides having big questions at the back it seems like both teams to score is a good starting point for a same game multi and as for the result, well a draw sure seems like the outcome as Adelaide gets out to a fast start and Sydney pulls them back.
SGM: Draw & Both Teams to Score @ $4.55
It’s been a few years in the making but the Wanderers return home this weekend and BankWest Stadium in Parramatta should be rocking.
Just like their first game as a team back in 2012, Central Coast is the chosen opponent and it will be a big test for Alen Stajcic to see if the club’s run to the FFA Cup Semi Finals was a fluke or a sign of things to come.
Overall this looks like a game the Wanderers should win but it might take a while for the side to get going, but when they do they could have a tough time stopping them, as Sydney United found out the hard way in the FFA Cup, going down 7-1.
This one definitely won’t have as many goals in it but there should be plenty of action and the home crowd should get them over the line.
Back the Wanderers to Win & Over 1.5 Goals @ $1.91
Will this finally be the season where Melbourne City lives up to its hype or it be another let down for the A-League’s richest club?
There’s no doubting the quality on hand for the Victory this weekend though as Marco Kurz gets his first taste of the Melbourne Derby.
With Ola Toivonen, Andrew Nabbout and more on call, the Victory should have the firepower to take care of a City side that will be missing Jamie Maclaren due to international duty.
Back Melbourne Victory to Win @ $2.25
The A-League’s newest club makes its debut overseas with Mark Rudan returning to face the club he guided to the A-League finals last season.
Naturally there’s no history to go off for Western United but only four teams have won their first A-League match, the most recent was Gold Coast United defeating Brisbane Roar in 2009.
Rudan has established a pretty solid squad and while there are a few questions over the age, players like Allesandro Diamanti still have the quality to dominate matches at this level and he could be the difference here.
Back Western United to Win @ $2.32
How will season two of the Popovic plan go out west?
After claiming the Premiership and losing the Grand Final on penalties, the Glory will have to deal with their maiden Asian Champions League campaign later in the season, which makes these early season points so vital.
It is also a return to Perth for one time Glory player Robbie Fowler who will manage his first A-League match for Brisbane Roar.
In preseason, the Roar have completely overhauled their squad and there will be a very strong emphasis on defence here as they try and patch a historically bad backine.
In terms of a form line, Perth have never really had much trouble scoring on the Roar, scoring two or more goals in each of their last eight games and four goals in each of the last two meetings.
This one should be a lot closer than last season’s contests but a score draw seems like the play here as the Roar kick off a new era on a strong note.
SGM: Both Teams to Score and a Draw @ $5.09
2018/2019
2017/2018
It’s back! After five months in hiatus the A-League is back for yet another season with the ten teams looking to win the new Championship trophy (which looks exactly like the old one). There are plenty of new faces to get used to as well as old faces in new kits for the upcoming season with it all kicking off Friday night.
To kick off Season 13 of the A-League, both Brisbane and Melbourne City take to the pitch knowing that they will be expected to do much better than in the last two years.
Brisbane have overhauled their attacking lineup, spearheaded by Italian Serie A veteran Massimo Maccarone.
The question surrounding them this season is where the goals will come from having lost Jamie Maclaren, Thomas Broich and Brandon Borello.
Melbourne City will be without star striker Bruno Forniaroli for the opening rounds as he recovers from an injury sustained in the FFA Cup.
To compound that, Tim Cahill will be away on Socceroos duty causing further damage to their attacking stocks.
Both of these sides will want to ensure they do not lose their first game and it might turn out to be a relatively cagey opening to the season here.
Back the Draw @ $3.40
Paul Okon’s second season in Gosford begins with an F3 Derby against the Newcastle Jets where they will look to get started on the right foot.
Perhaps the biggest coup of the offseason was signing former Perth prodigy Daniel De Silva who is coming back from Europe aged just 20 and looking to break into the Socceroos setup.
Newcastle will be playing a lot of tight, low scoring matches this season with a strong defensive group headlined by Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Nigel Boogaard.
All things considered, the Mariners should have the talent to get by in this game at home and with plenty to be excited about.
Back Central Coast to Win @ $2.30
A Big Blue and Grand Final rematch to kick off the Saturday night feature fixtures.
Sydney’s ever reliable defence from a year ago has taken a big hit with the departure of Danny Vukovic and the injury to Rhyan Grant.
Melbourne will also be relatively short handed in this game as their international stars are away playing for their country.
Gone from this game are key starters Mark Milligan, James Troisi and Kosta Barbarouses all of whom are expected to play a big role for the club this season.
Victory certainly have a talented squad but when you lose the lynchpin of Milligan for the game it will certainly test their depth which I’m not so sure they have established.
Back Sydney FC to Win @ $2.30
A tough assignment first up for Adelaide United as they travel to Wellington to face a Phoenix side that desperately needs to start winning.
Their recruitment policy has really focused on players with A-League experience, hoping to reduce the settling in time but it’s players like Gui Finkler that will really need to step up.
Adelaide have assembled a solid squad on paper and Papa Diawara is going to be a lot of fun to watch this year but with the squad still finding its feet, I think this could turn out to be a bit of a surprise draw.
Back the Draw @ $3.20
A game which is suddenly a lot more interesting given the Wanderers sudden need for a coach and the Glory’s drive to establish themselves among the top contenders in the competition.
The Wanderers have recruited strongly in the offseason, looking to make their fourth trip to the Grand Final and Oriel Riera looks like he might be the best attacking weapon they have had in a striker.
Perth however have a litany of attacking talent, lead by Diego Castro which should be able to take advantage of a vulnerable Wanderers squad.
I like Perth to get in here however this result might not be truly reflective of the team’s fortunes in the season to come.
Back Perth to Win @ $3.40
2016/2017
The A-League continues to go from strength to strength and we are in for another very exciting season.
There was nothing between the top teams in the A-League last season and that is expected to be the case again in 2016/2017.
The action gets underway on Friday night when the Brisbane Roar host the Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium, but the highlight is on Saturday when the Western Sydney Wanderers take on Sydney FC in front of a capacity crowd at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
This is a very interesting way to start the A-League season.
These two sides did battle in a number of intriguing games last season and it was the Brisbane Roar that eliminated the Melbourne Victory in the first week of the finals.
It is the Roar that will go into this game as narrow favourites and that is solely due to their outstanding record at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane were 12-2-1 as home favourites last season for a very big profit and they have won eight of their past nine games against the Victory.
Melbourne were one of the big disappointments in the A-League last season and they won just one of their five games as underdogs, while it is no secret just how poor their record at Suncorp Stadium is.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the Roar will make a winning start to the season and they are a good bet to do just that.
Back Brisbane Roar To Win @ $2.38
Tim Cahill signed with Melbourne City in the off-season, but his long-awaited A-League debut will be delayed due to his commitments with the Socceroos.
Melbourne City may be missing a number of key players, but they still have Bruno Fornaroli up-front and will start this game as clear favourites.
Melbourne City were actually 2-1-3 as away favourites last season for a loss and their record in Wellington is particularly poor.
Not a great deal is expected of the Wellington Phoenix this season, but they can still be a very tricky opposition on their day.
The Phoenix finished last season with a 2-1-4 record as home underdogs for a loss and they are always a tough team to tough from a betting proposition.
The market looks to have got this contest just about right and there is no real value in this contest.
No Bet
This is set to be one of the biggest A-League regular season games in history as ANZ Stadium has been sold out for over a month.
There is clearly no love lost between these two sides and there is always plenty of tension – their past six games have been decided by just a single goal.
The market is finding it very tough to separate these two teams and there is some value available.
There is no doubt that the Western Sydney Wanderers were a much better side than their rivals last season and they won 13 of their 21 games as favourites for a tidy profit.
Sydney FC were somewhat disappointing last season and they were only able to win two of their 10 games as underdogs.
Western Sydney have had a strong off-season and despite losing some players to international duty, I still expect them to be too strong for Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Back Western Sydney Wanderers To Win @ $2.60
The Perth Glory are favourites to finally taste A-League success this season and they really should start their season with a comfortable victory.
There have been plenty of false dawns for Perth throughout their history in the A-League, but they have put together a strong squad that is right up there with the very best in the competition.
Perth won three of their four games as home favourites last season for a comfortable profit and they were really able to turn NIB Stadium into a fortress.
The Central Coast Mariners had the season from hell 12 months ago and it could be another long season for the struggling franchise.
Central Coast won just one of their 13 games as away underdogs last season and I expect them to be completely outclassed by this Perth Glory outfit on Saturday night.
Back Perth Glory To Win @ $1.57
Adelaide United finally won their first A-League Championship and they start their title defence with a trip to Newcastle.
Adelaide made a very slow start to their A-League season, but they were easily the best team at the business end of the competition and they could hardly have been more impressive during the A-League Finals.
The Reds were a profitable betting team across the majority of metrics last season and they were 4-1-1 as away favourites for a handy profit.
There always drama at Newcastle and they will start the season with a new coach in the form of Mark Jones.
Jones is saying all the right things – he believes that Newcastle can the Arsenal of the A-League – but this is definitely one of the weakest squads in the A-League this season.
One factor in Newcastle’s favor is that they were actually a profitable betting side as home underdogs last season, but they were still only able to win three of their 11 games in that scenario.
Adelaide should prove far too strong for their rivals and they are a safe bet to get the job done.
Back Adelaide United To Win @ $2