There is no shortage of quality contests on offer in the A-League this weekend with three standout fixtures.
Saturday is derby day with the third edition of the Kiwi Clasico followed by a huge Melbourne Derby.
Then on Sunday we have Adelaide trying to stay in the premiership race as they take on a struggling Western United.
It’s shaping up as a huge weekend of football so find out who we are backing in our preview below.
When the schedule throws up a couple of big games, it does also lead to a couple of dud matches and this is not exactly the best start for the weekend.
Brisbane’s season is over and done with, they did take a point off Wellington in their last outing but with 15 days between competitive hitouts, any momentum from that has been lost.
Newcastle on the other hand is still an outside chance of making the finals, and if they can keep up their recent form they might just find a way in.
Four games unbeaten including back to back wins over the Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United have them as the most in-form team of the competition outside of Auckland.
That price on them to win is likely to drop during build up to the game but the value is definitely there on the Jets right now.
Newcastle to Win @ $2.00
The third and final Kiwi Clasico of the 2024/25 A-League season sees two teams heading in very different directions.
Auckland is marching towards a maiden premiership on debut and are justifiably short priced favourites here.
Even the budding rivalry with Auckland is not enough to spur Wellington on to break out of their current slump.
In their last ten matches they have taken nine total points and have scored eight goals in that time.
Auckland might have to work a bit harder because of the derby situation but the Nix will eventually break down, allowing the league leaders to pick up another three points.
Auckland to Win and Under 3.5 Goals @ $2.25
The Mariners as a club might be backing up from their midweek Asian Champions League clash with Kawasaki but any concerns over fatigue in this match will be overblown.
Having fielded a young team on Wednesday night, we should see a few key names return to the starting lineup for this must win clash.
Not only would a win close the gap on the top six, that group includes the Wanderers who have taken seven points from their last three outings.
On paper that looks like a decent return, but that included an ugly win in Brisbane, a late collapse resulting in a draw in the Sydney Derby and a draw at home to a dysfunctional Macarthur team.
It was only five weeks ago where the Mariners won 3-1 over the Wanderers in Parramatta and they are a much better chance than their current price.
Central Coast to Win @ $2.90
Third takes on fourth and this is a huge game in the race for finals positioning.
The winner (if there is one) will remain in prime position to at least secure a top to finish while any points dropped could put them in danger of being caught by the chasing pack in the coming weeks.
Brief blip in the Hunter a fortnight ago aside, it is tough to ignore the form of the Victory with three wins and three clean sheets from their last four matches.
Their defensive resolve has been quite impressive, as has Melbourne City who have conceded five goals in their last five matches, three coming in Auckland against the premiers-elect.
While both teams to score has hit in the last four derbies, the way both teams are defending at the moment points towards a more cagey affair and the under looks like the play for this one.
Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.05
Sydney have managed to catch a scheduling break here on the back of their midweek ACL 2 tie in Bangkok.
A brief stopover in Perth for this match ahead of their return home does make the travel a bit easier as opposed to having to fly all the way back to the east coast.
Barring any major injuries to come out of their continental clash, they should have too much firepower for Perth’s leaky defence.
The Glory have conceded the most goals in the A-League this season and it should be more of the same from the Sky Blues.
Sydney FC to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.80
It’s a match neither team can afford to drop as second visits fifth to close our Round 20.
The Reds have dropped points in three of their last four, while Western United have two points from their last three outings.
Both sides will be desperate to arrest their relative form slumps here, especially knowing what a defeat would mean for their seasons.
Adelaide would be all but out of the premiership race if Auckland win as expected, and they will also be in danger of dropping out of the top two.
Meanwhile Western United could drop out of the top six altogether if the results conspire against them.
In a game neither team can afford to lose, don’t be surprised if both wind up in a situation where they have to settle for a point each.
Draw @ $3.90
2023/2024
While the off-field news has been the lead story in the A-League this week, the on-pitch action offers up a number of fascinating matchups this weekend.
Sunday afternoon offers up a football feast with two massive matches, including the in-form Sydney FC hosting the Brisbane Roar.
At the same time, Macarthur will face Central Coast not too far removed from their fiery AFC Cup match.
Read on to see who we are backing in the A-League this weekend.
Round 20 kicks off with a battle of the wests… from the east coast.
Western Sydney’s freefall continued with a derby defeat last Saturday night, something that may have been missed in the other headlines to come out of that match.
That made it three defeats out of five games since the start of February as the one time premiership contenders slipped to sixth spot.
Western United have not been that good this season, but in the last few weeks they have at least shown a modicum of fight and desperation to avoid the wooden spoon.
They have picked up seven points from their last four games and took full advantage of an out of sorts Perth Glory last week.
If they can continue to show that fight as John Aloisi brings through the youth brigade to revitalise that squad, they should be able to pick up a point against the struggling Wanderers.
Western United Win/Draw Double Chance @ $1.91
Not a whole lot of deep thought required for this one with the league leading Nix somehow clear outsiders against the remnants of the once dynastic Melbourne City.
Wellington has not lost a match in 2024, winning five and drawing five to hold a three point lead at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Melbourne City has picked up two points from their last five matches and sits five points adrift of the finals placings.
This is not the team that dominated the A-League for the last few seasons, but the market has not quite caught up to their slide.
Take the value on the Nix.
Wellington to Win @ $3.50
Who do you like here, the reeling Reds or the battling Victory?
It’s ok to say neither team looking at some of their recent performances because they have not done a lot to inspire confidence backing them.
Adelaide’s form line is massively concerning with one draw and five defeats from their last six matches and showing little to no signs of improvement.
The Victory have only been marginally better but at this stage I’m going to back against Adelaide until they give me a good reason to think they might win another game this season.
Melbourne Victory to Win @ $2.30
Perth’s six match unbeaten run was brought to a halt by Western United last week as the normally free scoring Glory were held scoreless for the second time in a row.
However they may not have a better chance to get their late finals push back on track than a home game against Newcastle.
It’s not as though the Jets have been setting the world alight this season, winning just four matches and one in 2024.
If Perth are serious about making a finals push, this is a game they should win and based on recent form beyond the last fortnight, they should win this one.
Perth to Win @ $2.15
Second takes on third in the marquee match of Round 20 and if there are any lingering hostilities from the way their AFC Cup match ended last month, there should be some early fireworks.
The Mariners won that one 3-2 but they needed extra time to do it after scores were locked 1-1 after 90 minutes.
With two good sides eager to keep their momentum going, I’m having a hard time splitting them and the draw looks like the way to go here.
Draw @ $3.60
Despite a very eventful season and being on their fourth manager in Ruben Zadkovich, Brisbane is still very much in the hunt for the finals, but they face a massive test against Sydney FC this weekend.
Under the former Sydney and Newcastle defender, Brisbane has won two, drawn two and lost one and sits three points outside of the top six.
As well as the Roar have been playing though, Sydney’s form has been even better with just one defeat in their last 11 fixtures, with seven wins and three draws to go with it.
That run includes a 2-1 win for Sydney in Brisbane in early January and coming off a dominant derby win, I’ll back the Sky Blues to build on that momentum.
Sydney FC to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.91
*RESCHEDULED MATCH*
At the start of the season, if you heard that this would be a massive match for both clubs you would have assumed that both were competing for the premiers’ plate.
Instead, they are fighting for their respective seasons, trying to keep their finals hopes intact in a game neither team can afford to lose.
With such high stakes, both of these clubs may opt for a slightly more conservative approach and it could lead to a less than stellar match.
A draw doesn’t help either side but there really is not a lot between these teams based on recent performances.
Draw @ $3.70
2022/2023
Round 20 gets underway this weekend. With only two months left of regular season fixtures, are we starting to see the final ladder taking shape?
Newcastle and Macarthur sit just 1 win out of the finals and seem to be keeping pressure on the top sides. Western United could be hitting some form at the right time too. Two wins in a row, has their finals run started?
We’re set from some pretty big matchups once again this round and as always, I have your back for tips.
Here is my preview of the A-League Round 20.
Perth have scored a bit of Friday night footy action, while it does start late for us on the east coast, it lines up pretty well with the end of the rugby league, which means you can stretch out your Friday night sporting committments just that little bit longer.
The Glory have been very good at home this season, in my opinion I think that has a lot to do with jet lag and the amount of late games they play.
This game will be finishing up at midnight body time for the Wanderers.
Yes WSW are second on the ladder and have only lost 4 games this year but I like Perth at home, the timezone is almost a 12th man on the field for them.
Back Glory H2H @ $2.90
Are the Mariners running out of steam?
After their massive start to the season, they’ve only won one game in their last five and are beginning to tumble down the ladder.
Macarthur haven’t been much better but will be pretty revved up after their late win against the Roar.
The Mariners are quite short to win here at $1.58 compared to the Bulls’ $4.80. Macarthur FC has lost each of its last four A-League away matches and at odds that big the bookies probably have it right.
Back CCM H2H @ $1.58
They’ve lost two in a row and I’d imagine the Newy Jets will have their back up against the wall once again when they take on 3rd placed Adelaide United on Saturday night.
United are $2.40 to get the three points and are unbeaten in their last five starts, a price that seems like a great price for arguably the form team in the comp right now.
The ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in seven of the last eight A-League matches between Newcastle and Adelaide so fireworks should be expected.
Back Adelaide United H2H @ $2.40
The Sky Blues will travel to Eden Park on Sunday afternoon for a matchup against the Phoenix.
Historically not a great ground for Australians however Sydney are ever so slight favourites in this match $2.45 to $2.55.
Sydney FC has lost four of its last five A-League away matches following a win and given that they are playing at Eden Park, I’m sticking with the Kiwis here.
Back Wellington H2H @ $2.55
Brisbane are $6.75 to win and could very easily be staring at the wooden spoon by the end of the weekend.
Melbourne City has won each of its last 15 A-League home matches following a loss and ‘Over 3.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Melbourne City’s last six A-League matches.
I can’t imagine Brisbane will score many here, backing a big win to City.
Back City -2 Goals @ $3.90
We get a bit of Monday night footy this round and it’s a Victorian Derby too!
The Victory open as $1.90 favourites despite being on the bottom of the ladder which makes this and even hard match for me to pick.
Melbourne Victory has lost four of its last five A-League night matches as a favourite and I honestly don’t see them getting up in this one despite them being favoured by the bookies. I’m with United.
Back Western United @ $3.60
2021/2022
The A-League Men season enters its twentieth week, and there are several potentially crucial matches on the program.
I’ve run the rule over every game and provided a tip for each below in my A-League Round 20 Preview.
The Jets will face another tough task when Sydney FC visits Newcastle on Friday night.
They have struggled since the beginning of the year, and the Jets have opened $2.95 outsiders tonight, Sydney FC are $2.35 favourites as they bid for a third-consecutive win.
Beka Mikeltadze remains firmly in the race to this season’s Golden Boot, and it comes as no surprise that he is the $5 favourite in first goal scorer betting this week, Bobo is the $6 top elect for the Sky Blues.
I’m pretty keen on the Sky Blues, and the $2.35 is more than fair.
Back Sydney to Win @ $2.35
The Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory are each hoping to snap losing streaks when they clash at Leichardt Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Both clubs’ recent form has been shaky at best, but punters are expecting the Phoenix to bounce back today – they are our $2.30 favourites, with $2.87 about the Glory.
Gary Hooper has been a popular target in first goal scorer betting again this week, while Bruno Fornaroli’s absence has seen Andy Keogh garner plenty of support from the Glory fans.
The Phoenix are a class above, and they can record a potentially crucial win.
Back Wellington to Win @ $2.35
The Roar have their work cut out for them when top two club Western United arrives in Brisbane on Saturday.
It has been another torrid campaign for the Roar and they suffered another disappointing loss midweek, but they have surprisingly opened favourites in betting at odds of $2.60, there’s real value on offer for Western United at $2.75.
Juan Lescano has been the Roar’s chief marksman this season, and he has attracted plenty of support in first goal scorer betting again, while there has also been good interest for Western United’s Aleksander Prijovic.
I’m very keen to take the value on offer for the travelling Western United.
Back Western United to Win @ $2.75
Macarthur are offered a great opportunity to strike when an understrength Melbourne City visits on Saturday tonight.
The Bulls’ recent form has been shaky at best, but they have received plenty of interest as outsiders tonight, firming $4.20 into $3.20, while Melbourne City have remained rock-solid at $2.15.
The Bulls need to be winning matches like this one if they are to finish in the top four, and I am happy to follow the early money.
Back Macarthur to Win @ $3.20
The Mariners play host to Adelaide United in our second fixture on Saturday night, and they have opened warm $2.35 favourites, with value on offer for the Reds’ fans at $2.90.
Betting suggests that this will be one of the better contests of the week, and I can personally make a case for both clubs.
Adelaide remains a genuine chance of a deep run in the finals, however, and they simply need to win matches like this one.
Back Adelaide to Win @ $2.90
The Melbourne Victory are winless in their last three league matches, but they are dominant favourites to beat the Wanderers at home on Sunday evening.
Ladbrokes punters are confident that this one is a mismatch, and they’ve backed the Victory into $1.80 favouritism, the Wanderers have been friendless and are out to $4.10.
Nick D’Agostino has been the Victory’s chief destroyer this season, and it comes as no surprise that he has been a popular target for punters in first goal scorer betting.
I’m going to follow these trends with a two-leg Same Game Multi.
Back the Victory to Win/D’Agostino First Goal Scorer
2021
One of the tightest A-League seasons in the competition’s short history enters its frantic run home with just 12 points between league leading Melbourne City and ninth placed Wellington.
Red hot Brisbane has double duty this weekend as they try and extend a seven-match unbeaten run.
They head to Melbourne on Sunday to face Melbourne City before hosting the Mariners on Wednesday night.
We are previewing all eight matches below and have found our best bets here.
Macarthur’s finals hopes are hanging by a thread as their winless run reached five thanks to a scoreless draw in Perth on Saturday.
Unfortunately for them, Melbourne Victory look like they might be finding some confidence after a largely wretched season to date.
They have managed to take points in three of their last five and while they still look like a horribly disjointed team, they have periods of play where they look like a decent football team.
When it comes to finding a bet on this match, there is plenty of cause to go against both teams so I’ll do just that and take a draw.
Back the Draw @ $3.50
The A-League’s scheduling maestro has delivered another Friday night in Adelaide which can almost guarantee a chaotic fixture.
It was controversy aplenty when the Reds played out a scoreless draw with Western United last weekend while the Nix swam to a 0-0 draw in Brisbane.
For both of those sides, those sorts of scorelines are very much anomalies with Both Teams to Score hitting in 13 of Adelaide’s 19 games and 14 of Wellington’s 20.
On top of that, Over 2.5 Goals has hit in 13 of Adelaide’s games and 12 of Wellington’s, including four of their last six.
If it wasn’t obvious already, I’m backing goals aplenty in this match and with both sides looking to prepare themselves for a run into the finals, they won’t want to leave anything to chance.
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.25
Both of these teams are coming into this match on the back of last up defeats, although their overall similarities pretty much end there.
The Sky Blues can finish the weekend in second place by bettering Central Coast’s resultand they should be able to take care of their end of the bargain here.
As for Newcastle, even the most creative of wordsmiths are running out ways to encapsulate their struggles, so I’ll just keep it simple.
Their 11 game winless run contains just two highlights in that time, a draw at home to Perth and away to Macarthur.
Back Sydney to jump on them early and go on with it.
Back Sydney/Sydney HT/FT Double @ $2.63
Fresh off their derby win last weekend, the Wanderers engage in a battle of the teams called “West” who are based on the Eastern Seaboard.
It will be a tough ask for the visitors here, who are coming off a draining loss in Brisbane on Wednesday night (on a pitch generously rated a heavy 10 no less).
That broke a four game unbeaten run for Mark Rudan’s side but they managed to come through largely unscathed.
Western Sydney won the first match between these teams this season and there is no doubt they needed the confidence boost the derby win would provide.
I’ll back an arm wrestle between these teams in a low scoring affair.
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.25
This is arguably the biggest match of the entire round with the competition’s two in form teams facing off.
Melbourne City’s red hot run continued out west on Wednesday night while the Roar slogged their way to a tough fought win over Western United.
That made it four wins from their last five and brought about a return to the top six, however it may be temporary if they become the latest victim of City’s ruthless attack.
Despite captain Tom Aldred missing the last few matches with a hamstring complaint, Brisbane’s resolute defence has continued to impress conceding just seven goals in their last nine matches.
I can’t bring myself to back against City, however their head to head price is far too short to back in but there is value in the unders market.
The last two matches between these teams have finished 1-0 in favour of Melbourne City and I’ll back another tight fought tussle.
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.45
For a brief period on Wednesday evening, it looked like Perth would be bringing themselves out of the doldrums before City kicked into gear.
If they can capitalise on a fast start against the Victory in this fixture they are a great chance to end their six match winless run.
When these teams met on Australia Day it was a rare high point for the Melburnians as they secured their first win of the season.
Their backline still has far too many issues to feel good about so I’ll back Perth to win and score a few goals in the process.
Back Perth to Win & Over 2.5 Goals @ $2.15
Brisbane will return to the pitch just over 72 hours after suffering their first defeat in nearly two months.
Their seven-match unbeaten run was punctuated with a dominant 4-0 win over the Mariners two weeks ago and there is no reason to back against the home side here.
With that victory, the Roar extended their A-League unbeaten run against Central Coast to an astonishing 19 matches, winning the last five and 15 total during that run.
Perhaps the only reason the Mariners are being given a hope in our market is that the Roar have to be feeling the pinch of playing their fifth game in 14 days.
It’s not enough to swing my tip, Roar to win and do it in style.
Back Brisbane to Win @ $2.10
Things will not get any easier for Western United coming off a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Western United on the weekend.
Perth made life tougher than it needed to be in a 2-1 win over a 10-man Melbourne Victory but on the back of a six match losing streak, any result will do.
With Western United one of the sides Perth needs to run down to qualify for the finals, this is a six pointer with huge implications heading into the final few weeks of the regular season.
Even though the head to head price on the Glory is quite generous given Western United’s struggles, I’ll go aggressive and back the hosts to come away with a big win as they gear up for a busy run home.
Back Perth to Win -1 Goal @ $4.25
2019/2020
There’s just 10 rounds to go in the A-League season and it’s Sydney FC’s title to lose.
Behind the Sky Blues, however, is a madcap scramble for finals positioning with just five points between second and sixth place.
While there is plenty to look forward to this weekend, the standout clash comes from Redcliffe where the rising Brisbane Roar take on Perth Glory as Robbie Fowler’s plan continues to take shape.
We’ve got previews and predictions for all five A-League Round 20 matches right here so read on to see who we are backing.
Over their last five matches, Wellington has been remarkably consistent, alternating between wins and losses like clockwork.
I’m backing that run to end here as they take on a Western United side that has scored three goals in its last four matches, all of which came in their 4-3 defeat to Adelaide.
One reason the Nix have been able to establish themselves as a finals contender once again is their impressive home form with five wins and a draw from their last six matches as the home team.
While Western United did pick up a win in Wellington in Round 1, I can’t see that being repeated here as the A-League’s new side’s struggles continue.
Back Wellington to Win @ $1.63
Outside of their blip in Brisbane, Adelaide got things back on track with a comfortable win against the Mariners last weekend thanks to goals from George Blackwood and 15-year-old Mohamed Toure.
For some reason they are outsiders as they travel to Paramatta to take on a struggling Wanderers side.
Having only played twice in the past month thanks to a bye and a rained out fixture, they should have been fresh against the Jets and failed to impress.
There is no reason to expect the Wanderers will be able to pull off another upset over Adelaide having done that in late December – they are badly out of form and in need of an overhaul.
Adelaide has won four of its last five and it’s worth backing the hot hand even though they are underdogs.
Back Adelaide to Win @ $2.75
In Round One we saw two evenly matched sides cancel one another out and now they are two of the most in form teams heading into the run home.
The Roar are taking this game about 40 minutes up the road to Redcliffe where they as a club have an indifferent record.
November’s win at Dolphin Stadium was their first competitive victory at the venue having lost both FFA Cup ties played there.
With four wins from their last five Robbie Fowler’s side has to like their chances of climbing further up the ladder with a win here, but Perth will be ready to put in a tough performance.
While I do give a slight edge to Brisbane here, I just can’t split these teams and I’ll back a draw instead.
Back the Draw @ $3.40
While Saturday’s first game features two sides that are seemingly destined for finals, this one is made up of two cellar dwellers that need a miracle or two to sneak into the top six.
The Jets have started to show some signs of life after the departure of Ernie Merrick and took a point off Western Sydney last week, while the Victory are winless in their last five with just a solitary draw in Perth during that time.
When these sides met in Round 13, the Victory put on a performance to remember, cruising to a 4-0 win. But with the Asian Champions League seemingly all they have left, there is no guarantee they will be at or near 100% for this fixture.
This is another game between two sides that are probably on a similar path to one another at the moment and the draw is offering some pretty good value.
Back the Draw @ $3.50
The only reason you need to pause and have a second thought about backing Sydney to win this one is the fact they are backing up from the Asian Champions League.
Then you remember that they are clear on top of the table, looking to claim the Premiers Plate in as short a time as possible and turn their focus to the finals and their continental commitments.
In the interests of risk aversion, I won’t try and take anything overly fancy with this and just back Sydney outright even at a fairly short price.
Central Coast is in shocking form and couldn’t buy a win right now, but I can see them pushing Sydney here, especially if the league leaders are below par but I’ll back the better side to pick up the win.
Back Sydney to Win @ $1.65
2018/2019
Eight weeks remain in the A-League and Perth are possibly five wins away from their maiden piece of A-League silverware.
The Glory have to wait until the end of Round 20 of the A-League to play but they get the chance to take in what looks like it will be the match of the round in the Melbourne Derby.
City claimed honours in the opening round before a late Dario Vidosic header stole a point for the “light” blue part of Melbourne in the Pre-Christmas meeting.
We have previewed the Melbourne Derby and the other four A-League matches this weekend right here!
It’s last hosting second last on the Central Coast to kick off Round 20 of the A-League.
For these two teams the focus for their final eight matches is to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Brisbane has never claimed that dubious honour and the Mariners are looking to avoid their second straight and third in the last four seasons.
These sides have played out 1-1 draws when they faced off in Round 1 and Round 14 and another result like that is certainly on the cards here.
It’s hard to back either of these sides to pick up a win here considering they have combined for 25 losses from 38 games played this season so I’m going to steer clear of the head to head market.
NO BET
Despite this game being played just south of Sydney, Wellington is the home side for this one with the Cake Tin otherwise occupied.
Even with both sides set to play finals football this season, neither side brings a great amount of form into this clash.
Wellington has won just one of its last five and has not scored more than one goal in a game since January 20.
Sydney on the other hand has lost away to Brisbane and drawn at home to Central Coast in the last two weeks and any Premiership ambitions are disappearing.
The away side has won both meetings between these teams and if either team plays to its potential here they should be able to win this one.
With back to back draws and their January signings coming together nicely, the Phoenix are at good value for a “home” win here.
Back Wellington to Win @ $3.30
At some point the Victory will have their full compliment of players fit and firing, but they are doing a good enough job weathering the storm.
Having picked up a tough point at Eden Park last Friday, their attention now turns to local rivals Melbourne City, who they have lost to and drawn with so far this season.
This has all been in spite of their key players suffering various absences through injury and suspension but if the early reports hold true, the Victory’s front line could be fit(-ish) and firing for this one.
That does not bode well for a City side bereft of confidence but at least they do seem to be able to get themselves up for a game of this magnitude.
While there is a gulf in class between the two sides the occasion of the derby should level things out but you have to back the better side to win here.
Back Melbourne Victory to Win @ $2.00
Newcastle and Adelaide have played out two tight clashes this season and there’s no reason to think this one should be any different.
There was a 1-1 draw in Round 2 followed by a 2-1 Adelaide win in Round 10 and the market suggests this one could be a pretty tight game.
Newcastle looks like it might have rediscovered its scoring touch with nine goals in the last three games, which is over a third of what they have tallied lately.
Adelaide have been quite vulnerable as of late, keeping just one clean sheet in its last seven games and giving up three goals to Brisbane and Western Sydney as well.
When it comes to form, the Jets are looking like the stronger side and are worth a play as a home underdog.
Back Newcastle to Win @ $2.70
The Wanderers suddenly looked a lot stronger last week when they beat Adelaide in Adelaide but they face the best team in the competition in Perth Glory, fresh off a rampant 4-0 win themselves.
Perth won a wild encounter out west the last time these teams met with the Wanderers squandering 2-0 and 3-1 leads in the final 20 minutes.
Add in a four game winning streak for the Glory and this game looks like it might just be another step closer to the Premiers Plate, even with the Wanderers starting to look better as of late.
It would be good for Perth to be at slightly longer odds here but it shouldn’t be too surprising that they are under even money, the Glory are the better side and should win this one.
Back Perth to Win @ $1.91
2017/2018
As Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC begin their Asian Champions League campaigns next week, the A-League moves into Round 20, the first of two split rounds for the competition.
Friday night sees the Victory hosting Brisbane Roar before they take on Ulsan Hyundai mid next week and Sydney FC have an away date with Melbourne City before returning home to face Suwon Bluewings.
Sunday evening has a catch up fixture with the postponed Round 7 match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix.
The remaining fixtures are on next weekend with three more games as the Wanderers host Newcastle and the Phoenix host another Distance Derby against Perth before Adelaide and Central Coast close out the round.
Here are our A-League betting previews and recommended plays for the upcoming contests.
Just going off the last two games, you might think that the Victory are in trouble with back to back losses.
On closer examination they were beaten by the top two teams in the league and are rightfully expected to bounce back against the Brisbane Roar.
In the two meetings so far, the Victory won at Suncorp in December which was preceded by a 1-1 draw at Etihad.
Brisbane are starting to return to full health however their run for a finals spot took a slight step back with a loss to Melbourne City last week.
While the Roar could give the Victory some trouble, it just has not clicked for them this year and it will be back to back losses as the home side get three much needed points before their schedule gets busier.
Back Melbourne Victory to Win @ $1.70
Any concerns about a form slump are well and truly gone for Sydney with a clinical demolition of Wellington last week.
City escaped Brisbane with all three points but if they manage to give the Sky Blues as many opportunities as they did the week before, you would bank on them to capitalise.
Sydney are looking to make it three from three against City this season having won 1-0 in November and 3-1 in December.
Sitting nine points clear at the top of the league with eight games to go, Sydney have built a nice margin for error heading into their Champions League campaign.
City are comfortably clear in third place but will not be able to close this gap as Sydney shut up shop.
This is one of those rare times when Sydney are not ridiculously short favourites so look to take advantage of that value here.
Back Sydney FC to Win @ 2.00
[ROUND 7 RESCHEDULED MATCH]
The temptation here is to just go back and copy the preview written in December but it’s safe to say these sides are just a little bit different than when they were originally supposed to meet.
This is the game many fans have been waiting for just because it will get rid of the game in hand for the Wanderers and Phoenix and bring the table back level.
These sides met four weeks ago in Wellington for a 1-1 draw thanks to two cracking strikes.
If Western Sydney are going to score, chances are it will be in the first half with all bar three of their goals scored coming before the intermission.
Neither side is in a great run of form, but the Wanderers should be able to shade it at home.
Back the Western Sydney Wanderers to Win @ $2.00
Western Sydney have just five days to get ready for this encounter while the Jets are fresh after a weekend off thanks to the split round.
The Wanderers do have the comfort of knowing they blasted the Phoenix off the park in a second half rampage Sunday, but the second placed Jets are going to be a much tougher task.
Just before Christmas the Jets gave the Wanderers a 4-0 hammering and the spoils were shared in October.
Newcastle are scoring freely this year averaging over two goals per game while the Wanderers are struggling to find the net with any regularity.
I like the value on offer with Newcastle here as the Wanderers have not won three in a row yet this season.
Back Newcastle to Win @ $2.40
The third and final distance derby of this season and Wellington will be glad to be back home after a rough round trip to Sydney where they copped back to back 4-0 losses.
Their last goal came on January 20 with Roy Krishna’s 58th minute score against Newcastle.
When these sides met in Wellington last November it was Phoenix rampage with Perth looking lost at sea in a 5-2 win for the home side.
Perth have scored multiple goals in three of their last four matches unfortunately for them they have won just one of those.
There should be goals in this game as both sides look for a win to help their case to avoid the wooden spoon.
Even so, these sides do not look like they will be split and instead take a score draw here.
Back Both Teams to Score and a Draw @ $4.20
Adelaide’s thumping at the hands of Melbourne City a few weeks ago appears to be a blip on the radar as they have bounced back with two straight wins.
They have not had many home games but they do enjoy playing at Coopers Stadium with two wins and a draw from their last four.
It feels like it gets mentioned a lot now but the Mariners are winless in over two months and their last two games have been back to back 2-1 losses.
They have been able to scrap a draw in three of their last four away games however their Boxing Day visit to Adelaide produced a disappointing 1-0 loss where they looked devoid of options in attack.
With Adelaide’s form, they seem the likely option to win here so back that outcome.
Back Adelaide to Win @ $1.83
Week 20 of the A-League gets underway on Friday night when Adelaide United host the Newcastle Jets in a replay of the first game ever played in the A-League.
Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers meet in another edition of their incredibly heated rivalry on Saturday night, while the Brisbane Roar travel to Perth for a clash with the Glory in the second leg of the double-header.
The action concludes on Sunday afternoon when the Central Coast Mariners host the Melbourne Victory.
Adelaide United were absolutely flogged by the Perth Glory last weekend, but they will still go into this clash with the Newcastle Jets as favourites.
It really has been a season to forget for Adelaide United and they have now won just five of their past 12 games as home favourites for a clear loss.
Newcastle took a deserved point from their Monday night clash with the Melbourne Victory and they continue to play some solid football.
The Jets have won only two of their past eight games as away underdogs, but their recent form has been substantially better than that.
Newcastle still have plenty to play for and they can account for an Adelaide United side that has given up on this season.
Back Newcastle Jets To Win @ $2.90
This is a crucial clash between two sides that have really struggled in the past month.
Melbourne City have won just one of their past five games, but they will still go into this clash as favourites.
Winning away from home has been easier said than done for Melbourne City and they have won just one of their past seven games as away favourites.
Wellington have not won in over a month and they were simply no match for the rampant Sydney FC last weekend.
The Phoenix have won only two of their past eight games as home underdogs and they really have been a tough side to trust from a betting standpoint this season.
This is a game that the market looks to have got just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting standpoint.
No Bet
This is the third Sydney Derby of the season and is clearly the highlight of the round in the A-League this weekend.
Sydney FC won the first clash of the season in emphatic fashion, but it was a far closer contest when they squared-off a month ago.
It is Sydney FC that will start this clash as clear favourites and they really have been excellent this season.
Just when you think they are starting to look vulnerable they produce a stellar performance and I’ve just about given up taking them on.
It has been several years since the Western Sydney Wanderers won a Sydney Derby and they were very poor against the Central Coast Mariners.
Western Sydney have struggled for consistency this season and it is highly unlikely that they will be able to end their Sydney Derby losing streak.
Back Sydney FC To Win @ $2
Perth Glory have really found some form in 2017 and this is a big test of exactly where they are at this season.
Perth produced one of their best performances of the season to claim a dominant 5-0 victory over Adelaide United last week and they have won three of their past four games.
The Glory have been particularly tough to beat in front of their home fans and they have won six of their past nine games as home favourites for a clear profit.
Consistency has been a problem for the Brisbane Roar in recent weeks – they were excellent in the Asian Champions League, but a shade disappointing against Melbourne City.
Brisbane have won just one of their past nine games as away underdogs for a clear loss and winning away from home has proven to be a real issue.
I have been fairly taken with the way that Perth have played in the past month and they are good value to win again against the Brisbane Roar.
Back Perth Glory To Win @ $2.50
The Central Coast Mariners have recorded three wins on the trot, but it is the Melbourne Victory that will still start this clash as dominant favourites.
Melbourne were unable to break down the Newcastle Jets on Monday night and it will be interesting to see how they fare against a much-improved Central Coast outfit.
The Victory have won four of their past seven games as home favourites for a clear profit and their overall record against the Central Coast Mariners is outstanding.
Central Coast have now beaten Perth, Adelaide and Western Sydney in consecutive weeks and they will go into this clash with a great deal of confidence.
The Mariners have now won three of their past 12 games as home underdogs for a small loss, but their recent record is much better than that.
This is another game that the market has gotten right, but it will be interesting to see just how much Central Coast have improved.
No Bet