While there are just five matches on in the A-League this weekend there is no shortage of intrigue across the board.
It kicks off in Brisbane on Friday night with the Roar desperate for their second win of the season however Western Sydney will be eager for some revenge after a controversial draw the last time they met.
A busy Saturday is headlined by the clash between Sydney FC and Adelaide United with both sides desperate for all three points to move up the ladder.
Find out who we are backing in our match previews for Round 17 of the A-League 2024/25 season below.
*MATCH PREVIEWED IN ROUND 12*
It took 13 matches but Brisbane has finally won an A-League match in season 2024/25.
However they lost the opportunity to build on that momentum with 13 days between matches due to a venue clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Not all hope is lost though with the Wanderers going through a bit of a rough patch themselves, picking up just four points from their last five matches.
But one win is not enough to suddenly make Brisbane a worthwhile bet and until the Roar can string a couple of wins together, they remain a back against no matter what side.
Western Sydney to Win @ $2.30
The A-League’s new boys are back on top of the table and it looks like they have overcome their festive season struggles.
On the back of a challenging but productive week that yielded seven points from three matches, you can’t help but be impressed at the resilience of Auckland, scoring late goals to draw in Adelaide and win in Western Sydney.
Macarthur just cannot seem to find any consistency in 2025, alternating between wins and losses since New Years Day with their actual on field performances varying as much as their results.
On their day they can be really good, but when it is not, things can go really badly for them and against a good team like Auckland, that just spells danger for the Bulls.
Auckland to Win @ $1.80
By the time this match kicks off the market may well have shifted in favour of the visitors but at the time of publish, there is no better bet this weekend than Adelaide United.
The Reds are one of the form teams in the league and their premiership push is very much a realistic chance.
Not to mention the added motivation of atoning for their late concession against Auckland that cost them two points and top spot on the table.
Add in the fact it has been a rough last couple of weeks for Sydney with two defeats, first at the hands of lowly Brisbane and then in Melbourne against the Victory.
Yet somehow, Sydney FC are slight favourites, but that just means Adelaide to win is the value bet.
Adelaide to Win @ $2.65
This edition of the F3 Derby is expected to go the same way as the last six head to head meetings between these clubs.
Each of those six fixtures, including a Unite Round clash in November, have gone the way of the boys from Gosford and all up the Mariners have won nine of the last ten derbies.
Perhaps the only issue they may run into here is the fact they have to back up from a midweek match against Western United, otherwise there is not a lot to argue against for the home team.
Newcastle is not exactly flying high either and their midseason signings are still finding their footing at the Jets, but right now it is tough to make a case for them to turn it around in short order.
Central Coast to Win @ $1.94
The weekend’s action wraps up out west with an intriguing contest that could go in a number of different directions.
If you are making judgements solely off the last five matches for each of these clubs, then it might be a bit surprising to see that the Victory are such clear favourites.
But there was a lot to like about their performance in the Big Blue last Friday, where it seemed like things clicked under interim boss Arthur Diles.
Meanwhile, Perth have shown some promising signs of improvement but as last week’s draw in Newcastle showed, they still have a long way to go to compete week in, week out.
Right now the Victory just look like the better side and Perth is just a touch below the level they would need to be at to compete.
Melbourne Victory to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.83
2023/2024
It will be very tough to top the on and off field drama from Round 16 but the fixture list for this weekend has offered up some tantalising matchups.
There are not many bigger matchups in the A-League than the Melbourne Derby and with both City and Victory in increasingly desperate positions, this one will carry plenty of meaning for both sides.
Sunday’s action features the top two teams in the competition in action with Wellington travelling to face Macarthur while Central Coast is at home to Western Sydney.
We’ve got you covered with our A-League previews and best bets below so read on and see who we are backing.
There really is not a lot to get excited about for this match with Wester United and Newcastle both horrendously out of form.
Newcastle has won a grand total of two matches from their last ten and seem to be incapable of putting together a full 90 minute effort.
Western United have now lost 11 of their 15 games this season and sit eight points behind 11th placed Perth.
With both teams struggling for consistency, this could be heading for a low scoring, dour draw and that’s what we are going to be backing.
Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.45
That’s four wins in a row for Sydney FC and last week’s win over Central Coast was their most impressive of the entire season.
Knocking off the reigning champions in emphatic fashion will have done wonders for their confidence and Ufuk Talay has done a great job getting this team back on track since taking over in November.
His first match in charge was a 5-1 win over the Reds in Adelaide and his side looks like great value to pick up another three points here.
Adelaide seems like a talented side that is incredibly disjointed at the moment and with the Reds struggling for form, I’ll be taking the home side here.
Sydney FC to Win @ $1.72
Melbourne Derby number two of the A-League season will hopefully provide a bit more action than the pre-Christmas meeting which ended in a dour 0-0 draw.
Both teams desperately need a win here to set themselves up for the home stretch after each endured some less than ideal results to start 2024.
City were awful in Brisbane last week and were summarily dismissed by the Roar 5-1 while the Victory just lost their first match of the season on the back of four straight draws.
Someone is going to use this derby as a chance to make a statement about their credentials and I’ll happily side with Tony Popovic in the managerial battle.
Melbourne Victory to Win @ $2.20
Anything and everything can happen out west and that is exactly what we are backing in this fixture.
Perth has now gone four games without defeat, picking up eight points in those matches with five of those coming on the road.
Meanwhile Brisbane rediscovered their early season form thanks in large part to some midseason signings having an immediate impact and key players getting healthy.
Add in the motivation for interim boss Ruben Zadkovich returning to take on the club he was in charge of last season and this could turn into must watch tv.
With both teams incredibly inconsistent, I’m happy to stay away from the result market and instead land on the overs in a fixture that has had no shortage of goals in the past.
Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.10
One loss is not enough to shake the confidence in the Mariners, that was a bad day at the office however this team is more than capable of producing a response here.
Especially when you consider how short staffed the Wanderers are going to be after another red card filled affair last week.
While the Mariners will be backing up from AFC Cup duty during the week, the turnaround to Sunday is long enough to offset that as a potential detriment.
Central Coast to Win @ $1.80
Yet again Wellington finds itself as an underdog despite being the best team in the A-League this season.
Backing the Nix has been a profitable strategy all season and with the value here on the visitors, I’m going to keep this one nice and simple.
Wellington to Win @ $3.10
*REARRANGED FIXTURE*
These midweek matches have been a mixed bag but with the Victory coming off the derby against City, the intensity of this match might take a bit of a hit.
Western United might not be that good but if there is a game where they are going to get themselves up for the fight, it’s this one.
It has been a while since a game between these two ended in a draw but I can’t find too much between them given the respective spots.
Draw @ $4.60
2022/2023
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
2021/2022
Round 17 of the A-League Men competition boasts several exciting fixtures, and begins with a potentially crucial clash between the Victory and Macarthur on Friday night.
The match of the round however will certainly materialise on Saturday night when the Wanderers and Sky Blues reignite their fierce rivalry in the 30th Sydney Derby.
You can find our complete A-League Round 17 Preview below.
The Victory and Macarthur FC lock horns in what is sure to be a thrilling contest in Melbourne on Friday, with what could have serious top four implications.
The Victory carry winning form into the clash, and they have opened $2.02 favourites at home, with value around the third-placed Bulls at $3.50.
Both sides boast plenty of prolific goal scorers, but Nick D’Agostino has opened a warm $5 favourite to net the first for the Victory, while Lachlan Rose has received attention for Macarthur at $7.50.
I really rate the Bulls this season, and I am backing the upset.
Back Macarthur to Win @ $3.50
Western United will attempt to climb back into top spot when they host the Newcastle Jets on Saturday afternoon.
They have been nothing short of outstanding under the guidance of John Aloisi, and Western United have opened $1.85 favourites this week, while there has been a sprinkling of interest for the Jets at $4.
Beka Mikeltadze has been the Jets’ key marksman this season and is a popular favourite for his side again, and while I don’t think that the Jets can win, I think that he can get on the scoresheet.
Back Western United to Win/Mikeltadze Anytime Goal
The Mariners and Roar will square off in a match that each club will have earmarked as an opportunity to win. Neither side has looked particularly good at all recently, and they step out this week second-last and last respectively on the ladder.
For the Mariners, it has been a winless streak of eight matches now, compounded by three-consecutive losses leading into this contest.
The Roar haven’t been a whole lot better, though they have at least won a couple of comes in recent history.
I can’t split them, and I’m staying on the fence.
Back the Draw @ $3.40
It’s one of the best rivalries in the land, and sparks are sure to fly in the 30th Sydney Derby on Saturday night.
Both clubs are staring down the barrel a third-consecutive loss, but the Sky Blues have been the club that Ladbrokes punters want this week, and they remain warm $2.05 favourites, while there’s $3.40 about the Wanderers.
In current touch, I think that Sydney FC might prove just a little too strong.
Back Sydney FC to Win @ $2.05
The Wellington Phoenix’s recent improvement has been excellent, but they will need to go to another level to defeat reigning champions Melbourne City on Sunday afternoon.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the market at Ladbrokes suggests that the Phoenix’s unbeaten streak will end today, and they are $3.90 outsiders to defeat City, $1.85.
Golden Boot leader Jamie Maclaren failed to find the back of the net against Perth earlier this week, but he has been a popular target in first goal betting, while it is a far more open market for the Phoenix.
I think that City will be winning, and I think that Jamie Maclaren will be scoring.
Back City to Win/Maclaren Anytime Goal
Round 17 draws to a close in the nation’s west on Sunday night, and there is a case to be built for both the Perth Glory and Adelaide United.
The Glory snapped a two-game losing streak via a 2-2 draw with Melbourne City midweek, and there has been some interest for them at odds of $2.90. Adelaide United remains firmly entrenched in the race to the finals, and they are $2.35 favourites.
Bruno Fonaroli and Craig Goodwin have each played key roles for their respective clubs up front this season, and both players are prominent in first goal betting again.
This will be the Glory’s first match at home in some time, and I’m taking the upset!
Back the Glory to Win @ $2.90
The Mariners recorded their first league win for 2022 on Saturday, but betting suggests they’ll find it difficult to make it two in a row on Wednesday.
Despite having conditions to suit at home, the bookies are up with $2.80 for the Mariners, but there’s still plenty of value around the travelling Victory at odds of $2.40.
Nick D’Agostino has netted six goals for the Victory this season, and it comes as no surprise that he is the $5 favourite to open the scoring again today, while Marco Urena is the $7 top elect for the Mariners.
I think that the Victory are just going to prove a little too strong, and I’m more than happy to take the price on offer in match betting.
Back the Victory to Win @ $2.40
We’ll be treated to a top four clash when Melbourne City hosts Macarthur on Wednesday, but the money has continued to flow almost exclusively for the home side.
Punters simply have not been able to ignore the recent form of the reigning A-League Men champions, and City are now very firm $1.46 favourites, while the Bulls are friendless $6.25 outsiders.
As those head-to-head prices would suggest, first goal scorer betting is absolutely dominated by City’s marksmen. As he usually is, Jamie Maclaren has been a popular target on the top line of betting at $3.60.
This looks to be a pretty open and shut case, and I’m going to follow the betting trends with a small multi.
Back City to Win/Maclaren 1st Goal @ $5.71
We’re in for an exciting contest when the Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets clash on the Central Coast on Wednesday night, and there has been interest for both clubs.
The Phoenix haven’t been in action for more than a fortnight, but they maintain warm $2.30 favouritism, with the eighth-placed Jets up at $2.90.
It is a testament to the ability of Jets striker Beka Mikeltadze that he remains a tied $5 favourite to net the first goal tonight despite his club’s underdog tag, but there has also been plenty of interest for Gary Hooper.
I can’t split them, so I’m going to stay away from match betting and continue riding the Mikeltadze train.
Back Mikeltadze Anytime Goal @ $2.40
2021
Round 17 of the A-League season is headlined by another edition of the Melbourne Derby as City will look to inflict further damage on their cross town foes.
That is just one of six matches to be played as Western United heads to Tasmania for a pair of relocated home fixtures.
Find out who we are backing in each of those games below!
It was a much needed win for Brisbane last week as they picked up their first victory since early February last weekend.
Now they return to Sydney to take on a Wanderers side less that two weeks after they played out a 1-1 draw at Moreton Daily Stadium.
That kicked off a run of three consecutive draws for the Wanderers as they took a point off both Adelaide and the Mariners since.
Last time these teams faced off at Bankwest Stadium it was Brisbane coming away with a 2-1 win but it’s awfully tough to split these teams heading into this fixture.
Neither side has been kept scoreless a whole lot lately and we should see both goalkeepers get through plenty of work.
I’ll kick off the weekend backing a score draw with a Same Game Multi.
SGM: Draw and Both Teams to Score @ $4.64
Western United’s Tasmanian vacation begins with a clash against the Mariners with the nominal hosts looking to make up ground in the race for a finals berth.
Central Coast has stumbled in recent matches, winning just once in their last five outings but they still hold onto top spot for the time being.
The fans in Tasmania will be in for a crazy experience with fixtures between these two clubs usually producing more than their fair share of goals and drama.
A late brace from Alou Kuol swung their February match in favour of the Mariners for a 3-2 victory.
This has the potential to go either way but one thing is for sure, there will be goals and that’s the stat I will follow in.
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.50
We are six weeks removed from what may well be the best A-League moment in Melbourne City’s history.
A 6-0 derby demolition of Melbourne Victory set all sorts of records and they have another opportunity to embarrass their rivals this weekend.
There are only so many ways to dress up this as a contest considering just how awful the Victory have been this season.
Giving City a one goal handicap seems awfully generous at this stage but it should be one of the safer plays of the weekend.
Back Melbourne City -1 Goal @ $1.83
Sydney will no doubt feel hard done by after being held to a 1-1 draw by Melbourne City last week as they failed to make it three wins on the trot.
A 98th minute Jamie Maclaren penalty cost Sydney two points and now they have to rebound with an eye on an Adelaide side that has stumbled in the last fortnight.
The Reds won the first meeting this season 1-0 in what was Sydney’s only loss since the start of March.
Sydney might not be setting the scoreboard alight lately but that presents a great chance for punters to push for some value.
This is going to most likely be another low scoring encounter and that’s what I’ll back here.
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.25
Newcastle earned its first point in almost two months in their previous match but there is no reason for punters to think they have turned a corner.
Based on the stories that have been coming out of the Hunter region with rumours of a player exodus, this could be a rough run home for the Jets.
Macarthur were well below their usual standard against Brisbane but Ante Milicic will have his side ready to rebound this weekend.
I’ll continue to back against Newcastle until they can string together more than one point in a row.
Back Macarthur to Win @ $1.92
For better or worse, neither side has proven to be overly stout defensively this season but it means they are both primed for entertaining matches.
Wellington put three by Perth in their most recent meeting and there is no reason to think Perth will have solved their issues.
I’ll back another high scoring fixture with both teams to score.
Back Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.83
2019/2020
With the Olyroos qualifying for Tokyo 2020 and the Matildas set to begin their qualifiers next week, it’s easy to forget the A-League is still going.
While there is little intrigue at the top of the table, the finals race gives us a lot to watch this weekend with a massive shakeup on the cards depending on how the results fall.
It all kicks off in Sydney with the Sky Blues hosting the Roar and we’ve got previews for all five games right here!
You have to give credit to the Roar, they are unbeaten in their last five and finding ways to get results even if they are the second best side on the pitch.
That resilience will be given a real test as they visit the rampant Sydney FC who are cruising at the top of the table right now.
Last time Brisbane visited the defending champions they were blown off the park 5-1 as Milos Ninkovic and Alex Baumjohann put on a clinic, however the German will be absent from this fixture after his red card last week.
The Roar will keep this game a lot closer than the previous meeting but I don’t have the confidence in them getting the job done against Sydney. If it were any other opponent I would probably consider it.
I’ll take Sydney in a low scoring encounter for a same game multi.
SGM: Sydney to Win & Under 3.5 Goals @ $2.53
Newcastle managed to upset Western United in November and while the results have gone downhill since then, their opponents aren’t in great shape either.
Having lost three of their last four, Mark Rudan’s side is showing real signs of fraying around the edges.
All things being equal they should rip through the Jets but you can’t have any faith in them in this game.
Instead of going for the head-to-head market, we’ll take a lower value Both Teams to Score play that can build the bank for the rest of the season.
Back Both Teams to Score @ $1.50
Two sides that are trending in the right direction face off at Coopers Stadium with Melbourne City unbeaten in their last four and Adelaide on a two game winning streak.
The Reds 4-3 win over Western United last week gave us one of the more memorable games of the entire season and it seems like Gertjan Verbeek’s hail-mary play to call out the squad gave them a wakeup call.
Melbourne City continued to pick up points with a dour draw against their closest rival for second-place in Perth last weekend and they will need Jamie Maclaren to have his shooting boots ready to go in this one.
Three of the last four meetings between these sides have finished as draws but I’ll take City as I don’t think Adelaide have quite solved their scoring issues yet.
Back Melbourne City to Win @ $2.65
It’s been a big week for the Victory and, after getting pounded by Sydney in the Big Blue, they bounced back with a huge win over Kashima Antlers in an ACL Group Stage qualifier.
Not that they have a whole lot of time to celebrate that win with a flailing A-League campaign to salvage, starting this weekend in Perth.
They have lost three in a row and fallen down to eighth-place while the Glory’s winning run came to an end with a scoreless draw against City last weekend.
For this one, I’ll back the more well-rested, in-form team and for a bit of extra value, I’ll take the Glory in a Halftime/Fulltime double.
Back Perth HT/FT Double @ $2.65
You have two choices looking for a winner in this game: the team that might be lacking a bit of talent but will go all out every week or the better side that is in freefall.
There is a very good case to make for the Mariners in an upset here as the Wanderers have lost three straight and look like a team in dire need of a hard reset.
While their bye week came at a great time and might have given them a moment to work on their issues, until they show up to a game and look ready to go, you may as well back against them.
Back Central Coast to Win @ $2.95
2018/2019
After seemingly endless midweek games, it feels like an eternity with the A-League having a full week off between games, although most clubs will feel as though the rest could not come fast enough.
This week there are two games that stand out above all others, starting with the Distance Derby in Perth Saturday night followed by the “Light Blue Derby” on Sunday.
Read on for our previews and predictions for all five A-League matches this coming weekend.
This clash looks like it has plenty of goals in it, if the recent history of the two sides is anything to go by.
The Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals Markets have hit in eight of Western Sydney’s last nine games and it could very well be on the cards here.
The Wanderers are coming off a late capitulation in Brisbane, which, on the plus side at least ended their six game losing run, even though they threw a win down the drain.
Their recent record at ANZ does not inspire a lot of confidence losing six in a row at that venue and conceding two or more in each of those games.
Back Newcastle to Win and Both Teams to Score @ $4.20
Central Coast have the A-League’s worst defensive record, so their worst nightmare is about to come to Gosford.
The Victory are the A-League’s highest scoring team with 36 on the season and 10 in their last three games.
Ola Toivonen has scored in each of the last three games and has ten on the season and will no doubt be a good option if you are looking for an Anytime Goalscorer play.
But for our recommendation here, you can look back to Round 4 where the Victory won 4-1 and a similar result looks to be on the cards.
Back Melbourne Victory -1 Goal @ $2.60
Last time these sides met it was a wild encounter with a red card apiece, an eye gouging incident and the coaches going off at each other on the sideline.
Unfortunately, some of the main antagonists from that clash are gone with Taylor Regan departing Adelaide, John Aloisi resigning as Roar boss and one time Red Stefan Mauk absent from the Roar due to injury.
Adelaide are on a great run against Brisbane, winning four of the last six meetings between the two clubs and are favoured to make it five of seven.
Brisbane gave us a glimpse of the Roar sides of old with two stoppage time goals to steal a point against the Wanderers.
Even with the momentum boost a comeback like that will give them, the Roar’s defensive stocks are paper thin at the moment and Adelaide should be able to take advantage of the chances they will get.
Back Adelaide to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $2.20
If you said this would be a potential Grand Final Preview at the start of the season, you would have been rightly laughed out of whatever establishment you were in.
But here we are three and a half months into the season and the Glory are on top of the table while the Phoenix are showing they should be considered a legitimate test for any opponent.
You can make a case for both sides to win here, with the Nix one of the form sides of the table while Perth are just out & out good, plus they are at home.
What swings this game though is how good Wellington has been away from home this season, unbeaten in their last five and they should be able to hold out for a draw here.
Back the Draw @ $3.75
Don’t call this the Sky Blue Derby, even though Sydney has won each of the last six A-League matches between the two.
A lot of those games have not even been close with all bar one of those wins coming by two or more goals and four of those six have been to nil.
When these sides met in November, Sydney cruised to a 3-0 win and the Sky Blues will be desperate for a repeat of that result after losing to the Victory on Australia Day.
At even money in a game like this you have to feel good about backing Sydney.
Back Sydney FC to Win @ $2.00
2017/2018
It is the last week before continental commitments begin for the A-League sides.
Sydney will not be happy with what is (by their standards) a form slump with one win in 2018 so far and the big matches still to come.
Brisbane and Perth are two sides in need of a shot of confidence when they face off while both Melbourne sides have important matchups as the gap on the ladder between them gets ever tighter.
Plenty to look forward to this weekend so here are our A-League betting previews and recommended plays.
Brisbane and Perth kick off Round 17 with a Thursday night clash to give the Roar the maximum preparation time ahead of their Asian Champions League Qualifier next Tuesday.
When these sides met on the Thursday before Christmas, it looked for a long time like it would be the Roar coming away with a win but a late run produced goals for Andy Keogh and Diego Castro to allow the visitors to come away with all three points. ‘
It has not been smooth sailing for the Glory since then losing all four matches since then and coach Kenny Lowe feeling plenty of pressure.
Things have not been much better with the fan base turning on the coaching staff having gone over 290 minutes without a league goal.
Both sides have shaky defensive groups but struggle to score and there is no clear winner in this game so instead back the draw.
Back the Draw @ $3.00
While this fixture might lack the true marquee status it once had, it is still a must watch.
The Victory pulled out an important win against Perth last week despite being pushed to the edge.
History shows that the last two matches between these sides were draws however both sides have undergone significant changes since then.
Look for the Victory to pick up where they left off and push for a big win in this game.
Back Melbourne Victory to Win @ $2.20
One of Newcastle’s early statement results was a comfortable 3-0 win over the Phoenix in early November.
Back to back wins and three straight without a loss has them feeling pretty good about coming away with three points here.
With new addition Pato Rodriguez finding his feet they should become much more comfortable going forward and put away the Phoenix.
The odds here do not offer the biggest of return but it is hard to see this match going any other way.
Back Newcastle Jets to Win @ $1.61
When Sydney FC look over at their loss column and see a solitary ‘1’ in there they know it was the Mariners who were responsible for that.
Graham Arnold appears to be pulling all the right strings getting his team motivated week after week to ensure they are ready to go.
Having been held to a draw against Adelaide, who followed the Mariners blueprint, Sydney will want to get back on track, especially with that being their second draw in three games.
Sydney are not offering great value and with the Mariners missing players through Olyroos commitments, stay away from this game,
NO BET
Much like when the Roar play Melbourne Victory, there will be a reunion atmosphere in the air due to the history between the two sides.
City will be happy to be coming into this game off two wins and a draw where they played most of the match with ten men.
When City were flying at the start of the year, they put away Adelaide 2-0 and would happily take that scoreline again.
But with Adelaide’s resilience on full display in their last three games, it is too hard to write them off and instead look for this to finish in a draw.
Back the Draw @ $3.60
The rivalry between the Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC is one of the fiercest in the A-League and they will do battle again in Melbourne on Australia Day.
Coffs Harbour will be treated to a rare A-League game when Newcastle face Melbourne City on Friday night and there are a host of big games spread right throughout the weekend.
We have closely analysed every game in the A-League this season and you can find our thoughts on every single clash below.
The Melbourne Victory have lost two games on the trot, but they will still go into this clash with Sydney FC as clear favourites.
Melbourne were very disappointing against the Perth Glory last weekend and they have now won six of their past 12 games as home favourites for a clear loss.
Sydney FC returned to winning form with a typically professional effort against Adelaide United and they are still yet to lose a game this season.
One position in which Sydney FC have struggled over the past 12 months is as away underdogs and they have not won any of their four games in this scenario.
They have drawn two of their past four games in that situation and backing the draw in every Melbourne Victory game this season has proven to be a profitable play.
Back The Draw @ $3.40
Newcastle Jets have elected to move their home game to Coffs Harbour and it is Melbourne City that will start this clash as clear favourites.
Melbourne City have struggled away from home over the past 12 months and they have won just one of their past seven games as away favourites for a big loss.
Newcastle are not playing at Hunter Stadium this weekend, but they will still have the support of the crowd and this is generally when they produce their best football.
The Jets have won four of their past nine games as home underdogs for a clear profit and their record against Melbourne City is fairly strong.
I can’t get Melbourne City anywhere near as short as their current price and the Jets do represent genuine value at their current price.
Back Newcastle To Win @ $3.80
Perth Glory produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Melbourne Victory last weekend and they will start this clash as the punter’s elect.
Perth have not lost a game in 2017 and they improved their record to 2-2 as away favourites for a narrow profit.
Central Coast produced an improved effort against Melbourne City last weekend, but they still came away from the game with nothing and have lost seven of their past eight games.
Winning at home has proven to be a huge problem for Central Coast and they have won just one of their past 11 games as home underdogs for a huge loss.
Perth should have no problem getting the job done and they are the best value play of the weekend.
Back Perth To Win @ $2.20
It is always close when the Brisbane Roar take on the Western Sydney Wanderers and that looks likely to be the case again this weekend.
Brisbane ended their losing streak with a narrow win over the Wellington Phoenix and another win this weekend would really get their season back on track.
The Roar are normally at their best at Suncorp Stadium and they have won nine of their past 13 games as home favourites for a clear profit.
Western Sydney finally returned to winning form against the Newcastle Jets last weekend and they will take confidence from the fact that they drew with the Roar at Suncorp Stadium a month ago.
The Wanderers have won just one of their past ten games as away underdogs, but they have take a point from five of these clashes and are always tough to break down.
Brisbane generally get the job done at Suncorp Stadium and this is their chance to bounce back in front of their home fans.
Back Brisbane To Win @ $2.25
Adelaide United continue to struggle for consistency in the A-League, but they will go into this clash with the Wellington Phoenix as favourites.
The Reds have won six of their past 16 games as home favourites for a narrow loss and they have been a very tough team to trust from a betting perspective this season.
Wellington has their winning run ended by the Brisbane Roar last weekend, but it is fair to say that they have played some quality football over the past month.
The Phoenix have won three of their past ten games as away underdogs for a profit, but they are also a tough team to trust.
This is a match that the market looks to have got just about right from a betting standpoint and I am happy to stay out.
No Bet