The following are previews with betting tips for Round 24 of the 2017/18 A-League season.
View and compare the latest A-League bookmaker odds
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Friday, March 23
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Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets7:50 PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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What’s Happened Most Recently: Adelaide moved up into 5th spot after a 1-all draw with Melbourne City. While for the Jets, they closed the gap at the top to 5 points after they escaped NZ with a 1 goal to nil victory.
Despite United shooting 4-7 on target during their game, they were lucky to share the spoils with City. This being due to a missed Bruno Fornarolli penalty attempt that would have put the home-side ahead 1-0. However Paul Izzo pulled of the save that would keep them at bay for the time-being. Despite coming away with a respectable result of concern for Adelaide will be that they won only 55 duels vs Melbourne’s 76. They also gave away 20 fouls in another blight on their performance.
The Jet’s sole goal-scorer came via Jason Hoffman in the 43rd minute of the match. However the Jets played pretty average, but it was really the Phoenix who gave them all 3 points as they had only 5 shots go on target from their 23 taken attempts at goal. Newcastle having 55% of the ball definitely contributed to their narrow victory. A win against Marco Kurz’s men would see them come within 2 points of Sydney for the Premiers Plate. There’s a lot on the line for the Jets in this match-up.
What Should Happen: Over powering and rumors getting the better of Adelaide. There have been recent reports linking Kurz to the vacant coaching role over at Sydney FC. This is rightfully so as what he has done with both a youthful and battered Adelaide squad this campaign has been nothing short of sensational. He has them on track for a surprise finals berth as well as having taken them all the way to the FFA Cup Final. However how the rumors could affect his side will play a massive part in determining whether they have a chance against Newcastle or not. Combined with this, the sheer power the Jets have all over the field, despite the recent loses of Nabbout (left) and Boogard (injured) among others should be enough to see them through in such an important match.
Betting tip: Pick Newcastle to win at $2.90 (TopBetta)
Saturday, March 24
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Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC5:35 PM AEDT, Central Coast Stadium |
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What’s Happened Most Recently: Sydney FC lost for the first time in 29 games at Fortress Allianz in a 2-1 affair adding to their recent woes. While the Mariners got walloped by the Victory 5-2 despite a Connor Pain brace against his former side.
The Sky Blues are still in 1st but now only 5 points ahead of Newcastle after their disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of John Aloisi and co. Matt McKay and Jacob Pepper had the away side up 2-0 inside 18 minutes before a Milos Ninkovic strike in the second-half saw the result end a bit more respectable. However it was what happened of the ball that is of more importance for the reigning Champs. There is a distinct possibility that Alex Brosque could miss a large chunk of playing time after spitting in the direction of one of the refs during the match. While there were and still are rumors that after being told he wasn’t going to be playing in the second-half, David Carney reportedly spat the dummy and headed home. Times are becoming grim at Moore Park, especially with several players battling injury problems and the recent announcement that Graham Arnold would be leaving at the end of the season.
For the Mariners, some late Connor Pain goals against his former club wasn’t good enough as they got smashed 5-2 by the Victory. A Besart Berisha hat-trick, a Leroy George goal and a Theoharous strike all contributed to the onslaught. The Central Coast lost the game despite having more ball than Melbourne as well as a better passing accuracy (80% vs 76%). However of much more importance was the stretchering of on Anthony Golec after he very unfortunately broke his leg after a clash with Lawrence Thomas. Hopefully it is a speedy recovery for the 27 year old journey man as he has been an integral part of the Mariners this season and a great veteran influence on their younger brigade down in Gosford.
What Should Happen: The potential for a very ugly score-line. Anthony Golec’s injuries is just one of the ‘hospital’ problems Paul Okon’s men are facing at the moment. Combined with their injury problems, the Mariners have won just one of their past fourteen games!!! While Arnold always loves to come up against his former side. Finally, up front, Sydney boast Bobo and Adrian. The pair between them this season have produced an astonishing 34 goals and 12 assists. The Sky Blues should break their recent run of poor results against the Mariners in style.
Betting tip: Pick Sydney to win at $1.60 (TopBetta, William Hill)
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Melbourne City v Western Sydney Wanderers7:50 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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What’s Happened Most Recently: Melbourne’s draw meant that they dropped out of the Top 3. While the Wanderers despite their win are only 2 points inside the Top 6, with both Brisbane and Perth chasing quickly behind them.
Bruno Fornarolli missed the penalty attempt that would’ve seen his side take a 1-0 lead away from home. But it didn’t go to script for his side as Paul Izzo saved the attempt and the game ended in a stale-mate. The games only goal scorers were Absalonsen in the 46th minute for the home side and Stefan Mauk only seven minutes later for City. Melbourne dominated possession, took more shots than their opponents and had a better passing accuracy but couldn’t claim a vital victory. With both Adelaide and the Wanderers only 4 points behind them, a win is crucial if they wish to host a game in Week 1 of the Finals.
While for the Wanderers, they absolutely pummeled the Phoenix, winning 4-1. Brendan Hamill scored a dobule, while both Santalab and Ikonomidis got on the score-board as well. Both sides were trigger happy in front of goal with the Wanderers taking 28 shots and Wellington 16. However the conversion rate for both sides were dreadful with Western Sydney seeing only 8 go on target and Wellington 3. But credit to WSW, at least they took advantage of some of their chances, unlike the opposition. City may need a win, but WSW do too, otherwise they are at great risk of falling out of a finals spot entirely.
What Should Happen: A tight and tense battle. Only a win and a draw separates these two sides on the table. While there’s also only one team sandwiched between them on the ladder. And their history backs up this argument as well. 4 of their past 5 games played between each-other have either been draws or the result has been decided by 1 goal. The last match being case in point and a 2-1 win to the Wanderers. A game that saw all 3 of it’s goals scored in a seven minute period in the first-half.
Betting tip: Pick the Wanderers to win at $3.25 (Bet365)
Sunday, March 25
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Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar5:00 PM AEDT, Westpac Stadium |
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What’s Happened Most Recently: Wellington are still in dead-last position while the Roar are fighting tooth and nail for a finals spot. They are currently only 2 points of Western Sydney who currently occupy the last spot in the Top 6.
The Phoenix took 23 shots at goal vs Newcastle in their 1-0 defeat. But they only had 5 of them go on target. That alone is the major reason as to why they lost, their inaccuracy and poor shooting when presented with a potential scoring opportunity. They started of well and challenged the Wanderers but it only got worse for them. And with them now coming up against Jamie Young and a side desperate to play finals Football, it ain’t going to get any easier!!!
Matt McKay and Jacob Pepper were the heroes for Brisbane as they had them up 2-0 within the first 18 minutes at Allianz Stadium. Come the full 90 minutes + stoppage time they had become the first team in 29 games to win at Moore Park. It was a simply suburb effort in which among others they made the trio of David Carney, Brandon O’Neil and Andrew Redmayne look like Sunday League footballers. They got the commanding win with only 46% possession, 6 total shots taken and a worse passing accuracy as well. While the victory saw them become only the 4th team to beat the Sky Blues over the past two seasons.
What Should Happen: An easy Brisbane win. Wellington have been fighting to avoid last-place for a while now and haven’t really done all that much about their poor ladder positioning. That being bar some individual moments. While Brisbane have now gone undefeated in 3 of their past 4 matches. They are now looking like a side that should be feared should they play in the finals. Jamie Young should keep them safe at the back, while another team-effort up front should see them claim the victory.
Betting tip: Pick Brisbane to beat Wellington at $2.25 (UniBet)
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Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory7:00 PM AEDT, nib Stadium |
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What’s Happened Most Recently: Perth claimed a comprehensive 3-1 victory over the Mariners. As a result of the great win the Glory are now only 4 points of catching the Wanderers for the 6th and final playoffs spot available. While the Victory have now emerged as serious Championship threats to both Sydney and Newcastle after their 1-0 win in the ACL.
Joel Chianese scored twice in the absence of Diego Castro in the 29th and 61st minutes of the game. While Xavi Torres bagged a late one in the 89th minute. The sole goal-scorer for the opposition was Andrew Hoole in the 72nd minute. With only 47% of the ball Perth managed to still take 18 shots which is an absolute credit to their attacking branded style of play. Combined with this Perth also won 79 of the 147 duels that happened as they weren’t afraid to play physical and really give it to the Central Coast. This was also evident through their 24 tackles and 15 fouls.
The Victory beat Kawaski Frontale 1-0 and have a serious chance of advancing to the Round of 16. Barbarouses banged in the winner in the 90th minute and they have quite obviously continued their fine form in the A-League as evident through their 5-2 smashing of the Central Coast. They managed 15 shots and had a passing accuracy of nearly 80%. Every things going right for the Victory at the moment.
What Should Happen: Perth’s finals hopes being dashed once and for all. Kenny Lowe’s side have been on a great run of late. So much so that their are no longer many rumors or fans calling out for him to be sacked or that he might be sacked. However they could very well emerge again after this game if things go the way their supposed to. Of course history is always their to be changed, but the Victory’s is so strong that it probably won’t happen. They have won their past 3 against them for an aggregate score of 9-3.
Betting tip: Pick the Victory to beat the Glory at $1.91 (PalmerBet)
Best Bets of the Round
Pick only BRI to score vs Wellington at $2.55 (UniBet) (Bet is for only one team to score)
Pick the Sky Blues to strike first vs the Mariners at $1.45 (TopBetta)
Not a massive sports fan but I love your style of writing! Keep up the excellent work! Looking foward to future work 🙂
Thank you very much for the kind comment. Hopefully I can keep on producing engaging and exciting articles for you and others to read.
Regards,
Tobias 🙂