Three rounds remain in the 2024/25 A-League season and we have some clinching scenarios on the cards with seven matches over the Easter weekend.

Starting at the top, Auckland could win the premiership with a win and both Melbourne City and Western United both losing their fixtures.

Five of the six finals participants could also be decided if certain results break the right way although the exact order will very much be up for grabs over the next fortnight plus.

Easily the biggest game of the round is between second placed City and fourth placed Western Sydney but there is a whole lot to look forward to so let’s get into our previews and best bets for every fixture.

Despite showing a brief uptick in form prior to the March international break, the Roar’s last three games have been rough to watch.

Especially their last home game where they were demolished 5-1 by Macarthur and they now seem destined to earn the club’s first A-League wooden spoon.

Their former coach John Aloisi won’t be taking this game lightly either with United not only needing to bounce back from a bad loss to the Wanderers but also in the race for a top two finish.

On their day this is a team that can score for fun, scoring three or more goals in each of their five game winning streak that preceded the loss at CommBank.

Take the visitors to win and win by a lot.

Western United to Win -1 Goal @ $3.10

How on earth can you back either of these teams with any confidence?

Adelaide have lost their last four games, conceding 17 goals in the process with the most recent defeat a 4-1 battering at the hands of the lowly Perth Glory.

Meanwhile, Wellington have taken five points from their last five matches with 11 goals conceded in that time.

Someone might actually win this but the over looks like a far more appealing play with the relative defensive issues from both sides.

Over 3.5 Goals @ $1.92

While Auckland can win the premiership this weekend, it seems unlikely that they will based on their recent run of results.

One win and four draws from their last five has them inching towards the finish line but they have only lost twice all season so they are at least finding ways to get something from matches.

As for the Victory, they are playing some good football and could officially secure a finals berth here.

However the 0-0 draw these teams played out earlier this season is at the forefront of my mind and another stalemate could be on the cards with a point beneficial even if not ideal for both sides.

Draw @ $3.50

Second visits fourth in a game that neither team can afford to lose and they are each bringing some decent form to the table.

Western Sydney’s nine game unbeaten run that has yielded 21 of a possible 27 points, has catapulted them up to fourth place and given them a real chance of a top two finish.

Especially if they can find a way past Melbourne City, but it won’t be easy with Aurelio Vidmar’s side winning their last three and five of their last six.

Backing unders in the A-League is always a risky proposition given the competition’s history of high scoring, wild and wacky affairs but this has all the makings of an early season finals game.

Both meetings this season have been tight contests and it could play out like a finals contest with neither team wanting to make a game changing mistake.

Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.35

On the surface this should be an easy win for Sydney FC with the Sky Blues in position to all but secure a top six spot this weekend.

However this game also comes at an awful time for them, on the back of their ACL2 Semi Final second leg against Lion City Sailors on Wednesday night (to be played at the time of publish).

Whether they advance or get knocked out of that tie, the letdown potential in this game is high and they showed last week that squad will be rotated to keep players healthy.

Meanwhile, Newcastle has shown some fight in recent weeks, belting Central Coast 6-0 last weekend and they can cause problems if they remember to show up.

Given the spot for Sydney though, I’m happy to take on the home team at their current pricing.

Newcastle Win/Draw Double @ $2.40

If Western United were not the best bet of the weekend then it should be Macarthur as they take on an increasingly dysfunctional Central Coast side.

While the Mariners were in the F3 Derby last weekend until Storm Roux’s brain explosion resulted in a red card, the way they folded after going down to ten players should be a massive concern.

Now they have to produce some sort of response to finish a disappointing season on a high note, but it really doesn’t look like they can.

Especially against a Macarthur side with no margin for error as they fight for their finals life.

Macarthur to Win @ $2.35

*ROUND 16 MATCH*

Round 27 wraps up with a postponed Round 16 fixture as the Roar finally hosts Adelaide after the original date in January was double booked for a Luke Combs concert.

Even with both clubs undergoing rough seasons, there is still a lot to look forward to with a history of entertaining clashes.

Already this season we have seen a 3-2 win for Adelaide in Unite Round back in November and an end to end 1-1 draw at Coopers Stadium that could have finished with any score based on the number of chances created.

Last season they met in April at Suncorp Stadium and it was a highly entertaining 4-3 win for the Reds.

We’ve got two bad teams with nothing to play for, both could very well go for broke here and the over is the straightforward play in this market.

Over 3.5 Goals

2023/2024

*NO ROUND 27 SCHEDULED*

2022/2023

*NO ROUND 27 SCHEDULED*

2021/2022

*NO ROUND 27 SCHEDULED*

2020/2021

*NO ROUND 27 SCHEDULED*

2019/2020

*ROUND 27 RESCHEDULED DUE TO COVID*

2018/2019

We have reached the final round of the A-League regular season!

Perth Glory have secured the Premier’s Plate and we know which six teams will contest the A-League Finals, so there isn’t a great deal to play for.

In saying that, there is still value to be found on the final day of the season and our complete A-League Round 27 tips can be found below.

A win for Adelaide United in this clash will secure them a top four finish, while a defeat could see the Wellington Phoenix leapfrog them and claim a home final.

Adelaide have won three of their past four matches and they will go into this game with the Brisbane Roar as clear favourites.

They have won four of their past six games as away favourites and winning on the road has not been an issue for them this season.

Brisbane produced a truly pathetic performance against the Newcastle Jets last weekend and club legend Matthew McKay deserves to go out with a  better performance.

The Roar have won only one of their past six games and only two of their past nine games as home underdogs.

Adelaide United should be able to record a comfortable win.

Both Teams To Score & Adelaide United To Win @ $2.35

Melbourne City are the shortest-priced favourites in the A-League this weekend and can atone for their shock loss to the Central Coast Mariners earlier this season.

Melbourne City have won six of their past eight matches as home favourites and they are always tough to beat in front of their home fans.

Central Coast produced one of their best performances of the season to beat the Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend and they have definitely improved in the last couple of months.

In saying that, they have only won one of their past 13 matches as away underdogs and it is impossible to back them with any real confidence.

Melbourne City will get the job done, but there is no value at their current odds.

No Bet

There is never a great deal between these two sides and the market suggests that we are set for a very tight game at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Newcastle Jets destroyed the Brisbane Roar in impressive fashion last week and they will go into this clash as narrow favourites.

This is not a position in which they have thrived this season – they have won only three of their past nine games as home favourites and have really struggled in front of their home fans.

Sydney FC have lost only one of their past eight games and they head into this clash on the back of a tough win over Perth Glory.

They rarely start games as underdogs and they have won only one of their past three games in this scenario.

This is a game that has stalemate written all over it and the $3.40 available for a draw is good value.

Back The Draw @ $3.40

Neither of these teams really have anything to play for – the Melbourne Victory will finish in third and Western Sydney will finish in eighth.

There is very little between these two sides in betting and it is currently Western Sydney that are favourites in our market.

Western Sydney have won only two of their past six matches as home favourites and they are very difficult to trust in this scenario.

Melbourne went down to Adelaide United last weekend and they have suffered back-to-back defeats only once in the past 12 months.

The Victory have won eight of their 14 games on the road this season and they are 3-1-3 as away underdogs.

Even an under-strength Victory should be too good for the Wanderers and they are excellent value at the current odds of $2.60.

Back Melbourne Victory To Win @ $2.60

The Wellington Phoenix are the only side in the A-League that could potentially have something to play for this weekend, as they could finish in fourth if they get the job done and Adelaide United lose to the Brisbane Roar.

Both of those scenarios seem unlikely.

The Perth Glory have been extremely tough to beat at home this season and they have won nine of their past 12 matches as home favourites for a clear profit.

In saying that, Wellington have been no easybeats on the road and they have lost only three of their 10 games as away underdogs, although the majority of those results ended as draws.

Perth’s defence is extremely tough to breakdown and they can claim another win to nil.

Back Perth Glory To Win To Nil @ $3.70

2017/2018

It is the final round of the A-League regular season and we know five of the six finals participants and the final one will be decided Sunday afternoon.

Both Melbourne clubs will be hosting matches in the first round of the finals however the race for third place is still up for grabs.

Meanwhile the Newcastle Jets will have a final round derby to try and arrest their concerning form slump.

Read on for our A-League match previews and recommended plays.

The season opened for both teams with a Big Blue and it will close out with one that will serve as Sydney FC’s Premiership parade.

No doubt Kevin Muscat will be on the sideline thinking about how to obtain some sort of mental edge ahead of the finals series.

Graham Arnold has done a good job keeping his team focused and despite cruising through their game against Adelaide last week they were still comfortable winners.

This is the final chance for both sides to tune up ahead of the knockout stage so expect a bit of fire to this contest and Sydney to mark their Premiership with a win.

Back Sydney FC to Win @ $1.91

It is all but academic that Wellington will claim their second wooden spoon as they prepare to face a Melbourne City side that could have everything or nothing to play for.

Depending on the result from the night before, City could need a win, a draw or nothing at all to secure third place so their approach may not be known until the lineups are submitted just before kickoff.

That alone is enough to keep me away from this game as there is just too much uncertainty.

NO BET

If Newcastle want to get some sort of positive momentum going before the finals, this is the best chance to do it in an F3 Derby against the struggling Mariners.

Ernie Merrick will have no choice but to put out his strongest lineup after three straight losses to try and instil some confidence back in the team.

Central Coast look ready for a holiday and have faded badly but with a derby they might try and play spoiler for their local rivals and dent their finals hopes.

Back Newcastle to Win @ $1.91

Brisbane had it all in front of them last week, but an error riddled first half put them in the win and hope position heading into the final match of the season.

They have not won in the west for five seasons and it is a monumental task to try and stop a Perth side that is finishing strong.

Both teams need a win and an upset on Sunday however that home ground advantage and the Roar’s poor record at NiB is enough to push me towards Perth in this desperation derby.

Back Perth Glory to Win @ $1.91

Western Sydney are in the box seat for sixth spot as they play in the final match of the round and will know exactly what is required of them.

They simply need to win or draw, and they will earn the right to keep playing.

Adelaide will have to be wary as they could slip down to sixth spot if they lose to the Wanderers by three goals or more, so they will need to be on their guard from the start here.

The goal difference might not be overturned but the Wanderers will be able to take their opportunity and win this game.

Back Western Sydney Wanderers to Win @ $1.87

The six teams that will take part in the A-League Finals has been decided, but there will still be jostling for position inside that top six this weekend.

The Brisbane Roar can finish third if they beat the beat Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City fail to take the three points from their clash with Perth Glory, while the Western Sydney Wanderers can still leapfrog Perth into fifth.

We have analysed all five games in the final round of the 2016/2017 A-League season and our reccomended betting plays can be found below.

The Melbourne Victory can finish no better or worse than second on the A-League ladder, but they are still dominant favourites to beat the Central Coast Mariners this weekend.

Melbourne have not won since they beat Perth almost a month ago, but they have still won nine of their past 13 games as home favourites and have won seven of their past eight games against the Mariners.

Central Coast clawed their way off the bottom of the A-League ladder with a win over local rivals Newcastle last weekend, but this is obviously a much tougher test.

The Mariners have won two of their past 13 games as away underdogs for a profit, but they are still a very tough team to trust from a betting standpoint.

Central Coast have the ability to get on the score-sheet, but Melbourne will prove too strong.

Back Both Teams To Score And Melbourne Victory To Win @ $2.25

Sydney FC have dominated the A-League this season and it is no surprise that they will go into this clash with the Newcastle Jets as dominant favourites.

Sydney FC dropped points against Wellington last weekend and they will be keen to go into the finals on the back of a win.

The Sky Blues have won nine of their past 12 games as home favourites for a clear profit and it really is tough to see them losing this clash.

Newcastle have fallen to pieces in the final stage of the year and they have conceded 14 goals while scoring zero of their own in their past four games.

They are clearly done with this season and the fact that they have won only two of their past 13 games as away underdogs does not inspire confidence.

The Jets haven’t scored in over a month and that does not look like changing.

Back Sydney FC To Win To Nil @ $2.38

This is set to be the most competitive game of the weekend and there is very little seperating these two sides in betting.

Western Sydney are unbeaten in their past five games and they will go into this clash with Adelaide United as narrow favourites.

The Wanderers have actually won two of their past three games as away favourites and do go into this clash with a fair amount of motivation.

It has been a season to forget for Adelaide United and they come into this clash on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Melbourne City.

The Reds have won two of their four games as home underdogs this season, but a lack of motivation heading into this clash does make them tough to trust.

There are a number of variables that can make a difference in this clash and because of that I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

No Bet

The Brisbane Roar went down to the Perth Glory last weekend, but they will still go into this clash with the Wellington Phoenix as clear favourites.

Suncorp Stadium continues to be a happy hunting ground for Brisbane and they have won six of their past ten games as home favourites for a profit.

Wellington’s unlikely charge to the A-League Finals came to an end when they drew with Sydney FC last weekend, but they still take strong form into this clash.

The Phoenix have won three of their past 12 games as away underdogs for a profit and they do go into this clash with a genuine chance.

Wellington did beat Brisbane in Brisbane last time that they met and they are genuine value to repeat the dose this weekend.

Back Wellington To Win @ $5

This is a crucial game for both the Perth Glory and Melbourne City as there is a chance they could meet next weekend.

Perth have the home ground advantage in this clash and they will go in as favourites following their return to winning form against Brisbane Roar last weekend.

The Glory have been tough to beat in front of their home fans this season and they have won six of their past ten games as home favourites for a clear profit.

Melbourne City ended their own losing streak with a 1-0 win over Adelaide United, but winning away from home has been an issue.

They have won just one of their past seven games as away underdogs and their record in Perth is very poor.

Perth can taking winning form into the finals and they are a good bet to get the job done.

Back Perth Glory To Win @ $2.30

2015/2016

This is the final round of what has been a very interesting 2015/2016 A-League regular season.

No team have really dominated the A-League season and there are a number of different teams that  go into the final game of the season with a genuine chance to win the Premier’s Plate.

This is a genuine Friday Night blockbuster.

Melbourne City would need a couple of other results to go their way, but both these teams can still mathematically win the Premier’s Plate if they are successful this weekend.

Melbourne City lost to Perth Glory last weekend, but they still go into this fixture as clear favourites and are a profitable 9-3-2 as home favourites in the past 12 months.

Adelaide United have won six of their past eight games in the A-League and have a fairly strong record against Melbourne City, but they are only 2-2-4 as away underdogs this season and this is the toughest rival they have faced for at least three weeks.

Melbourne City can get the job done to keep alive their Premier’s Plate chances this weekend and they are worth a bet at their current odds of $2.10.

Recommended Bet: Back Melbourne City To Win @ $2.10

This is the only game this weekend that is not relevant to the finals and both theses clubs will likely just be happy that this season is finally over.

Both of these teams have not won for over a month, but the Newcastle Jets were arguably unlucky not to beat the Brisbane Roar last weekend and they are deserving favourites.

Newcastle have not started as favourites on many occasions in the past 12 months, but they have been profitable in this scenario – despite the limited sample size – and are plainly just a better football team than the Central Coast Mariners.

Central Coast have won just three of their past 28 games as underdogs and this is a football side that is still a number of years away or some big name recruits from being competitive once again.

Recommended Bet: Back The Newcastle Jets To Win @ $2.25

The Brisbane Roar have their destiny in their own hands and they will win the Premier’s Plate if they are able to beat the Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

Melbourne cannot finish any better than sixth and it will be interesting to see just how strong a line-up that Kevin Muscat plays as it could prove vital.

The Roar have been a consistent betting team this season, but their record away from Suncorp Stadium is something of a concern as their record as away favourites is only 1-2-1.

The Victory have only been home underdogs once in the past 12 months and they won that game, while they have also been a profitable betting play as underdogs throughout this season.

There are a number of reasons to be concerned about the Roar’s chances this weekend and I believe that the Victory are more than capable of recording an upset at a good price.

Recommended Bet: Back The Melbourne Victory @ $3.50

The Western Sydney Wanders are another team that is capable of winning the Premier’s Plate, but they require both the Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United to either lose or draw and they need all three points against the Phoenix.

The Wanderers are dominant favourites here and this is a position in which they have struggled this season – they are 12-3-7 as overall favourites and that record is a disappointing 4-1-3 as away favourites.

The Phoenix  have lost three games on the trot in fairly comprehensive fashion, but they have been a profitable betting play as home underdogs and overall underdogs this season.

I don’t like the fact that they are so badly out of form, but I simply can’t get the Wanderers as short as their current odds and the Phoenix can finish the season with a positive result in front of their home fans.

Recommended Bet: Back Wellington Phoenix To Win Or Draw Double Chance @ $2.10

The Perth Glory can’t win the Premier’s Plate, but they still have the chance to secure a home final if they are able to beat Sydney FC on Sunday afternoon.

Sydney FC beat Pohang Steelers again during the week in the Asian Champions League, but their form in the A-League continues to be putrid and they have not won a game for over two months.

In contrast, Perth are arguably the form team heading into the A-League finals and if they can beat Sydney this weekend it will be their sixth straight victory.

Perth have won five of their six games as favourites this season and are 2-0 as away favourites, while Sydney FC have won just two of their 11 games as underdogs.

The $2.15 on offer for Perth is massive overs and they are the best bet in the A-League this weekend.

Recommended Bet: Back Perth Glory To Win @ $2.15