The following are previews with betting tips for Round 4 of the 2017/18 A-League season.
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Friday, October 27
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Sydney FC v Perth Glory7:50 PM AEDT, Allianz Stadium |
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A-League fact: In this seasons A-League competition as well as the FFA Cup, Bobo has already bagged 10 goals from only seven appearances.
Last time they met: The winner advancing through to the final day of the season, while the loser ruing a season that could have been. For the Sky Blues they sent Perth tumbling out of the competition on their way to a comprehensive 3-0 win and in the process booked their spot in the Grand Final. The goals that day came courtesy of Josh Brillante and two goals in the space of nine minutes to Jordy Buijs and Filip Holosko. The Glory will have all the motivation in the world to win this encounter.
What happened last round: For Sydney they were down 2-0 before they fought back for a 2-all draw against Western Sydney. Sydney’s defence was broken in only the third minute of the match via a Oriol Riera goal, while the goal that bought Sydney back into the game was a controversial Bobo penalty. For Sydney their is reason for concern as last season at home, they only conceded four goals. While this season in only two games at Allianz, they have already conceded that same amount. For Perth they were down 1-0 to the Mariners before they too completed their fightback and came out as 2-1 winners. For the Glory their goal scorers were Andy Keogh and Adam Taggart. Sydney posses a different threat to the Central Coast and Kenny Lowe will not want his men falling behind in this encounter.
What should happen: Sydney this season through three games have conceded four goals, already a third of what they gave up last season (including the finals). With Andrew Redmayne in goals the Sky Blues have had obvious defensive woes this campaign. A team such as the Glory that have the attacking flair and prowess that they do means that their should be plenty of goals in this game. However expect Sydney to come out on top with the win.
Betting tip: Pick both teams to score at $1.61 (Bet365, MadBookie)
Saturday, October 28
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Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar5:35 PM AEDT, Westpac Stadium |
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A-League fact: Through the first three games of last season, Brisbane were sitting comfortably inside the Top Six with four points, now through the first three games of this current campaign they have zero points and sit dead last.
Last time they met: The last time these two teams faced off it was goals galore as Brisbane came out with the three points via a 4-3 win. In that encounter the lead changed hands three times and their were an impressive six different players who got their names of the score sheet, with Brett Holman scoring a brace. Also in that same game in only the 6th minute, Roy Krishna opened the scoring for the Phoenix. Against a struggling Roar side, if they can get that early advantage it should be enough to get them the victory.
What happened last round: The Phoenix defensively played very well and were unlucky not to get anything out of their 1-0 loss to Melbourne City. Wellington had a shot come of the post as well as five of their shots blocked. Ross McCormack was the goal scorer for City. For the Roar they continued to struggle as they were beaten by a resurgent Newcastle side 2-1. Massimo Maccarone rightfully had a goal ruled out for offside but still looked strong throughout the match. But he and his squad were still no match for the Jets who scored through Roy O’Donovan (fifth goal of the season) and a screamer of a goal via Dimitri Petratos. An unfortunate injury also occurred for Ronald Vargas of Newcastle in this encounter after a clash with Matt McKay.
What should happen: A fairly boring draw. Don’t expect much from this game given the Phoenix’s relative inability to produce goals while the Roar could barely score a goal to save their life at the moment. If their are goals, expect them to come through the likes of Maccarone or Krishna, but this match has a strong possibility of a 0-0 draw. However both sides contain creative midfielders making that an interesting aspect of this clash.
Betting tip: Pick a 0-all draw at $15.00 (Bet365, SBOBET, Unibet)
Pick equal scoring halves at $3.75 (William Hill)
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Adelaide United v Melbourne City7:50 PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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A-League fact: The past five clashes between these two teams have resulted in five wins a piece with Melbourne winning the most recent encounter, then Adelaide, that order follows for all ten clashes. While the two games before that were both 2-all draws.
Last time they met: A lone Tim Cahill goal two rounds before the finals gave Melbourne a 1-0 victory over Adelaide. While Cahill was the man for City, Adelaide also had a very poor game. The Reds managed only one shot on target along with getting four yellow cards to City’s zero. Given both teams starts to their respective campaigns, its safe to expect a slightly different flavour to this match.
What happened last round: For Adelaide Vince Lia bagged an impressive double but a late Mitch Austin goal meant that they were forced to take only a point from their clash against the Victory. Their coach was quoted as saying they need to be able to finish of matches better as they arguably were the better team and deserved all three points rather than just the one. While for Melbourne they made it three from three with a 1-0 win against Wellington. For City, Ross McCormack bagged his first goal for the club and looked very impressive in front of Melbourne’s home fans.
What should happen: History getting changed. In the past ten clashes between these two sides their has not been a single draw. However coming into this game both sides are undefeated as well as possessing individual, stellar attacking threats in the likes of Bruce Kamau (three goals) and Vince Lia (two goals) boosting their very finely tuned attacks. We will be in for an awesome spectacle of Football.
Betting tip: Pick the draw at $3.60 (Palmer Bet, William Hill)
Sunday, October 29
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Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers5:00 PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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A-League fact: Roy O’Donovan is currently topping the scoring charts with five while Andrew Nabbout is doing the same with the assists charts as he is currently equal first with three.
Last time they met: Robert Cornthwaite bagged a brace as his side downed the Jets 3-0 in a very one sided display down in the Hunter Valley. For Newcastle they had a paltry three shots on target to go along with fourteen fouls and three yellow cards to the Wanderers one. Both sides however come into this match-up undefeated making for much better viewing than Western Sydney’s previous 3-0 demolition job.
What happened last round: Newcastle piled on the misery for the struggling Roar as they came away from Suncorp Stadium with a well-deserved 2-1 win. Such was the Jets dominance of this match that the score-line would have read 2-0 had it not been for an unfortunate Nigel Boogaard own goal. Also in this game Roy O’Donovan scored yet another goal while Dimitri Petratos scored an early contender for goal of the season. This while marquee man Ronald Vargas suffered a ‘likely’ season ending injury during the win. While the support for him has been strong, the fact that they will be without him for the foreseeable future is a significant blow to their finals hopes and championship aspirations. For the Wanderers they would have felt hard done by as they led rivals Sydney FC 2-0 before David Carney went down in the box for a contentious penalty. Bobo converted coolly from the spot against ex-Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic before the final score was a 2-all draw. However the fact that they scored so early against a resolute Sky Blues defence (3rd minute; Oriol Riera) will give Western Sydney a great deal of optimism heading into this match.
What should happen: The Jets currently have two wins and a draw this campaign while the Wanderers have a win and two draws to their name. Both sides have looked fluent in attack while the Jets have also looked very strong in defence. They kept the Central Coast and Brisbane to a combined two strikes. While for the Red & Black they held on late against Sydney to allow the draw to occur despite numerous chances from the opposition. It’s impossible to split them and doing so would be unfair, expect the draw to occur.
Betting tip: Pick the draw at $3.60 (William Hill)
Pick both teams to score at $1.50 (Bet365)
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Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory7:00 PM AEDT, Central Coast Stadium |
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A-League fact: The Mariners have in their trophy cabinet one A-League Championship and two Premierships while the Victory have three of each.
Last time they met: The last time these two teams met an 80th minute Besart Berisha strike was the only difference in a 1-0 Melbourne win. The strike was Berisha’s 100th in the A-League and the victory ended the Mariners hopes of making the finals. The three games before have resulted in an aggregate 9-1 Melbourne win. Berisha has also scored three from those encounters as well. The Mariners will have to be at their absolute best to stop him from scoring and to stop the Victory from claiming their maiden win of the season.
What happened last round: For the Central Coast they led Perth 1-0 in the early going thanks to Wout Brama’s first strike for the club. But unfortunately for the Gosford based club they are still winless this season due to second half strikes from Andy Keogh and Adam Taggart. However the Mariners played well and probably at least deserved a point for their efforts. For Melbourne, they too couldn’t crack it for their first win of the campaign as they drew 2-all with Adelaide United. They opened the scoring through Besart Berisha in the 13th minute but had to wait till late to claim a draw via an 82nd minute Mitch Austin strike.
What should happen: A first win of the season for the Mariners. They toiled hard in their opening round 5-1 loss to Newcastle as they opened the scoring in the 5th minute of the match. Then in Round Two had it not been for a very poor penalty call they would have gotten up against the Wanderers, but instead they had to settle for a 2-all draw, then finally in their loss last round they still looked like a very potent side. It should all finally come together for them against a Victory side down on confidence and looking completely different to last seasons 2nd place side.
Betting tip: Pick the Mariners to win at $3.71 (BetFair)
Best Bet of the Round
Pick Bobo to be an anytime goalscorer against the Glory at $4.40 (UNIBET)
Pick Roy O’Donovan to continue his fine form and score anytime against the Wanderers at $5.30 (UNIBET)