The following are previews with betting tips for Round 22 of the 2017/18 A-League season.
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Friday, March 2
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Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory7:50 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Whats Happened Most Recently: City remain in 3rd place despite their 2-1 loss to the Glory. However the Victory are close behind them with only a four point difference separating the two rivals on the ladder. This is especially the case after Kevin Muscat’s men posted a commanding, yet controversial 3-0 win over Adelaide last round. For the Sky Blue side of Melbourne, they opened the scoring just before half-time against Perth courtesy of Daniel Arzani. Then in the 85th minute of the game, former City POY Neil Kilkenny got one back for Perth, before an Adam Taggart strike in the 97th minute sealed defeat for Melbourne. City’s fortunes during the match weren’t helped in the slightest by a Schenkeveld red-card in the 67th minute. Their play in front of goal is one of the major reasons they lost the game, this as only one of their seven shots went on target. While for the Victory in their affair against Adelaide, they were very lucky not to have Rhys Williams sent of, while for the opponents new man Cavusevic was sent from the field. A Taylor Regan OG, a first goal of the season to George and a ninth of the season to Berisha, sealed the deal for Melbourne. Again, just like City, Melbourne were poor in front of goal with only three shots on target. However Adelaide were worse with only one.
What Should Happen: The Leroy George show. Unlike Berisha or maybe Troisi, George is the key to the Victory for not only this game, but also if his side want to achieve anything of note this season. He scored his maiden goal of the season last round and is in a similar mold of a player to that of Mesut Ozil. They both are always looking to set up their team-mates and he’s done just that this campaign with 12 assists to his name. He leads the league in this department and has more combined than Sydney duo Adrian and Milos. Against City expect him to be the major focal point of their attack and if the Victory do get anything from this game, it’ll be thanks to in no small part Leroy George.
Betting tip: Pick City to win at $2.44 (Pinnacle)
Also pick them to score first at $1.89 (CrownBet)
Saturday, March 3
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Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC5:35 PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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Whats Happened Most Recently: A win for Sydney in the battle of 1st vs 2nd would see them need only two more points from their remaining five games to claim back to back Premiers Plates. Simply put, Newcastle need to win here to stop Sydney from any hope of doing just that. In the Jets last game, it looked like they would end up with a draw in what was a fairly ordinary affair vs Brisbane. However in the 79th minute of the match Joey Champness put them ahead 1-0 and that was how the game ended. Despite the victory for Newcastle, the game had some moments of controversy to it which John Aloisi made very clear after the game. This proving to be yet another game that maybe the referees have had a bit of an ‘un-fair’ impact on. However in the end they probably deserved the win anyway as they were absolutely ruthless in front of goal, seeing eleven of their twenty shots go on target. While the score could have potentially been a lot bigger if it wasn’t for Jamie Young in Brisbane’s goal. While for the Sky Blues, they came away with a tight 3-1 victory over the Wanderers in the last Derby at the old Allianz Stadium. They went behind 1-0 before two Adrian goals and a 21st of the season to Bobo saw them crack 50 points (52), for the season. The game was played in atrocious, soaking wet conditions while Matt Simon made a rare start for the reigning champions. And he proved well up to it, having some good touches and getting in the faces of the opposition any chance he could get.
What Should Happen: As previously mentioned, it’s pretty much all in or nothing for the Jets. And despite their success story this season, this game might prove to be a step to far for the most surprising team in the league. Sydney have only lost once all campaign, while the last time they met, Sydney claimed a point despite Newcastle arguably being the better side. If nothing else, the front-attacking combination of Bobo (21 goals, 5 assists) and Adrian (12 goals, 7 assists), should prove to be to much for the Hunter Valley side to handle. Expect them to continue their on-fire form in a Sydney FC win.
Betting tip: Pick Sydney to win at $2.10 (Pinnacle, TopBetta)
Also pick them to score last at $1.70 (William Hill)
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Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United7:50 PM AEDT, Suncorp Stadium |
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Whats Happened Most Recently: A match that had a bit of controversial moments attached to it, saw Brisbane go down to Newcastle 1-0. As a result, the Roar are now four points of a finals place. In a few poor stats which contributed to their defeat. The Roar shot only two of their eleven shots on target, while they also gave away more fouls than Newcastle. And throughout the match it was blatantly obvious that if it wasn’t for Jamie Young, Brisbane would have had a lot more put past them. Not a lot of Roar players deserve contracts for next season. But one things for sure, if Young isn’t resigned, then it’ll be another season without finals Football (assuming they just miss the cut this season). While for Adelaide in their 3-0 loss to the Victory, the referees also played a major ‘un-fortunate’ part. Rhys Williams wasn’t sent of when he probably should have been, while new-singing Cavusevic was sent of, this after only 10 minutes of coming on. This was their second red-card in as many games and continues a bad habit for them. United were also very poor in front of goal, seeing only one shot go on target for the entire match. The bad defeat leaves them in 5th on the table and only one point ahead of Western Sydney.
What Should Happen: A 38 year old Massimo Maccarone has 10 goals for Brisbane this season (more than Besart Berisha). Yet, one of the best teams in the A-Leagues short history are somehow on track to miss playing in the finals. While Adelaide are more than likely going to be in the finals after a 9th place finish last season. However in their last game they were mauled by the Victory to the tune of a 3-0 score-line. What you can take from this is that there are both good and bad elements of the un-known within both teams. However what you should be able to expect if nothing else is a tight and somewhat fiery game between two sides more then desperate for a win. And a red card might not be out of the equation either.
Betting tip: Pick Brisbane to be victorious at $2.42 (Pinnacle)
Also pick only them to find the back of the net at $2.32 (UNIBET) (Bet is for at least one team not to score)
Sunday, March 4
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory5:00 PM AEDT, Spotless Stadium |
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Whats Happened Most Recently: Western Sydney lost to Sydney FC in a Derby that had plenty of what if moments for the away side. They started of the more brightly of the two teams, opening the scoring through Oriol Riera in the 10th minute in what was 12th strike of the season. However come full-time it was more Derby pain for Josep Gombau’s men as they had lost 3-1. Despite the loss, the conditions definitely played a part as did home-ground advantage. However the Wanderers matched it to Sydney for most of the game with both sides having five shots be on target from nine attempts. While they both had a 73% shooting accuracy. If the Wanderers do happen to face the Sky Blues in the finals then they should be confident of claiming a result despite the seemingly lopsided defeat at Allianz. 2-1, 2-1, 2-1. You have to read it several times to believe it as up until the 85th minute, City were leading Perth with Arzani being the only man to find the back of the net up until that point in the game. However Neil Kilkenny then scored and extracted some revenge onto his former club and he took some not so subtle shots at Warren Joyce after the game as well. Then in the 97th minute Adam Taggart scored the goal which saw the Glory claim a crazy three points. But those three points helps keep their season alive for a little while longer. Helping Perth’s fortunes was a 67th minute red to Melbourne man Schenkeveld.
What Should Happen: A crazy, fun-filled game that should be great viewing!!! Up front for both sides you have Riera who if it wasn’t for rival man Bobo, would be equal first in pursuit of the A-Leagues Golden Boot. While for Perth, at least in this game, you can’t go past the match-winner from last week in Adam Taggart. He has four goals this season and defences are always on the lookout when he’s got the ball at his feet. Both sides also have less then solid defences, while they both need the win. For the Wanderers it’s to further lock themselves into a finals spot. While for Perth it’s to help them keep up the push on Western Sydney themselves. This will be one to watch!!!
Betting tip: Pick both teams to find the back of the net at $1.50 (Bet365)
Saturday, March 10
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix7:50 PM AEDT, Spotless Stadium |
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Whats Happened Most Recently: Wellington are dead-last on only 17 points. From 21 games this season they have posted a miserable four victories. While they are still a full win of 9th. They have massively collapsed this campaign, as last season they claimed 30 competition points and two seasons before that, 46. In their last game, a match that would have seen them climb of the bottom of the table had they won, they went down to the Mariners, the other worst A-League team, 1-0. De Silva was the sole goal-scorer for the match and his side pretty much dominated the Phoenix from one end of the park to the other. Wellington had only 40% possession, while they also had only two shots on target during the game. As well as this, they only completed a shocking 62% of their passes. They also conceded three yellow cards, for the Central Coast it was only one. If this wasn’t bad enough for the Phoenix, the last time they faced of against the Wanderers they went down 4-0 in an absolute thrashing. Riera and Ikonomidis both scored in that game and are fastly becoming a great attacking combination.
What Should Happen: Leading on from that, Oriol Riera has twice as many goals this season as Diego Castro to go along with 21 shot assists. While Chris Ikonomidis already has two goals from four games to go along with five shot assists. The one-two combination should easily be able to rip through a Wellington defence that has a league worst GD of -18. Not to mention the Phoenix have given up six goals over their last three matches. Expect them to lead the charge in what should end up being a fairly comfortable Western Sydney victory.
Betting tip: Pick the WSW to win at $1.83 (William Hill)
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Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners10:00 PM AEDT, nib Stadium |
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Whats Happened Most Recently: The Central Coast were supposed to be a dark horse team to make the finals this season. But instead last round they had to claim a 1-0 win over Wellington just to avoid being in last place. This game may be the last roll of the dice for Paul Okon’s men if they still wish to feature later on in the season. De Silva scored in the 46th minute for the Mariners and his goal proved to be the only difference in this game. However the Central Coast were the better side and deserved the victory as they had 60% of the ball. While they also converted 4-10 shots on target. One of their shots also came of the woodwork while they completed 71% of their passes (vs Wellington’s 62%). They also won more duels and gave away less yellow cards. Yet if it wasn’t for a spurned Roy Krishna chance in the 2nd half, the result might have been a draw, rather than a win for the Mariners.
What Should Happen: A Perth victory, keeping their season alive for another game or two. They won it in the clutch in their last game against a finals bound Melbourne City side. So with that being what to judge Perth’s form of, they should be able to easily dispose of the struggling Mariners. The game will get ugly at times so it’ll be the finishing at either end that decides the result. The Glory are just a bit more classy in that department.
Betting tip: Pick Perth to win at $2.10 (William Hill)
Best Bet of the Round
Pick SYD to strike first vs NEW at $1.70 (William Hill, TopBetta)
Pick both teams to score in City vs Victory at $1.61 (Bet365)