A-League Round Seven: Preview and Betting Tips

The following are previews with betting tips for Round 7 of the 2018/19 A-League season.

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Friday, December 7

Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners 7:50 PM AEDT, Spotless Stadium View a detailed form guide for Western Sydney v Central Coast

Last Round: The Wanderers were annihilated 4-0 by the Victory in a simply embarrassing performance from the Red & Black. As for the Mariners they were possibly slightly unlucky in their 2-1 loss to Sydney. The Wanderers defence conceded 19 shots of which 11 were on target. As for the Red & Black they could only muster up five shots on target from 13 attempts. The Mariners on the other-hand were actually alright as they had 14 shots vs Sydney’s 11. And as well as that former Sky Blue boy Matt Simon landed his first goal back for the Mariners in the 16th minute of the game. The Red & Black were also very sloppy defensively as they gave away 14 fouls, including three yellows. The Mariners too shared that trait as they gave away 21, also including three yellow cards. Both sides have been pretty average this campaign with the Wanderers yet to win a second game and the Central coast even a first.

This Round: The Mariners recently have pushed two very good teams all the way in the form of the Glory and the Sky Blues. Them losing those ones 3-2 and 2-1 respectively. Against Perth they lost it in the last minute of the game and against Sydney if it weren’t for the penalty, they may have won given that it seemingly changed the direction of the match. They are up and coming. That’s opposed to Babbel’s side who are coming of a 4-0 loss, that backing up a 2-0 defeat. While in six matches so far this season they’ve put up one or less goal in four of those games. The two sides are in contrasting form and here you can expect Mike Mulvey to claim his maiden win as Central Coast head coach.

Betting tip: Choose your selection as the Mariners to win at $5.25 (Bet365)

Also choose your selection as both teams to score at $1.66 (Bet365)

 

Saturday, December 8

Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix 5:35 PM AEDT, Jubilee Stadium View a detailed form guide for Sydney v Wellington

Last Round: An Adam Le Fondre penalty on the stroke of half-time and a simply superb effort by Brandon O’Neil secured all three points for the Sky Blues in a tense 2-1 win over the Mariners. As for the Phoenix the VAR robbed them of handing Perth their first loss of the season. They did so by reviewing Lowry’s tackle in the 75th minute of the match. He then saw red after the review and post-game Mark Rudan was absolutely scathing at everyone involved. And rightfully so as it meant his side instead had to settle for a 1-all draw. Sydney somehow managed to win their game despite shooting only 3/11 on target and winning a meager nine aerial duels to the Mariners 29. However on more of a bright spot for the Phoenix, Roy Krishna’s 44th minute strike meant that he became Wellington’s all-time leading goal-scorer on 34 goals. Good on the flying Fijian!

This Round: A closely fought match. Never mind the difference in ladder positions, make no mistake the Phoenix are here to play. And again that’s evident through their showing against the Glory. While two of their past four games against the Sky Blues have been close. One was a 3-2 defeat while the other was a 1-all draw. If the Phoenix want to stay in it then there’ll have to be a big performance from front-line man Krishna who has 10 goals and four shot assists so far this season. If he turns up big in this match then expect the Phoenix to show all their fight under ex-Sydney FC man Mark Rudan.

Betting tip: Choose your selection as Sydney to win at $1.40 (Sportsbet)

Also choose your selection as the Sky Blues to find the back of the net first at $1.36 (Neds)

 

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United 7:50 PM AEDT, Marvel Stadium View a detailed form guide for Victory v Adelaide

Last Round: 4-0, 4-0, 4-0 was the score as the Victory absolutely thumped Western Sydney to move back into 2nd place on the competition ladder! Four different men found the back of the net for Melbourne and they were Honda (11th min), Baena (31st min), Barbarouses (39th min) and finally Terry Antonis (83rd min). As for Adelaide their game had two reds (Regan and Mauk), a massive brawl and their coach sworn at by fellow opposition head gaffer John Aloisi. It was a game filled with many different frantical moments and one that will no doubt be remembered for a long time. United’s goals came courtesy of a double to Ben Halloran. And the victory left them in 4th position and only a win of 1st. Isias also displayed his sportsman ship as he covered a fellow opposition player who was lying on the ground and appeared to be seriously hurt, bravo. And the Victory’s game was truly something special as Honda ran riot and Melbourne shot 11/19 on target.

This Round: A great attack (14 goals from six matches this season) is being pitted against a stellar defence (average of one goal conceded per game this season and one in the entirety of the FFA Cup). How Honda (four goals/three assists) fares against Adelaide’s star shot-stopper in the form of Paul Izzo (2.67 saves per match and 100% on 27 keeper throws), will go a long way to determining the outcome of this game. The battle between the star attacker and how he fares against the star Goalie will have a massive say in determining where the three points go.

Betting tip: Choose your selection as Melbourne to be victorious at $2.00 (Sportsbet)

Also choose your selection as the Victory to score last in the match at $1.68 (Neds)

 

Perth Glory v Melbourne City 10:00 PM AEDT, nib Stadium View a detailed form guide for Perth v City

Last Round: A late red to the Lowry brother representing Wellington changed the entire outcome of the game for Perth in what was a point they really shouldn’t have. This was after the unnecessary use of the VAR made a huge blunder in declaring him to be sent off. And Perth pounced on the opportunity scoring an 82nd minute equaliser through the magic Diego Castro. As for City they showed that they could win without Bruno Fornarolli, much to the protests of the fans as they netted three superb strikes in their commanding 3-0 victory over the Jets. Their goals came via Riley McGree against his old side, an awesome two-touch effort from Luke Brattan and a first goal to Lachlan Wales. They were very strong as 81% of their passes were completed. That being in addition to the 58 duels they won vs Newcastle’s 53. Perth for all the things about the VAR had no right to be in the game as they had an unusually low possession with 51%, saw only three shots of theirs land on target, they completed only 73% of their passes and they gave away 15 fouls.

This Round: With some rumours circulating that Fornarolli might not pull on a City jersey again, Melbourne are going to need plenty more contributions like they had last week if they are to win or draw this game. Probably best-case for City is that they would be going for the draw. However with other attacking options besides Bruno in the likes of 19 year old Atkinson, Luke Brattan who scored a worldly last round and has eight shot assists this season and 20 year old Riley McGree who already has two strikes this season from only 12 shot attempts. In addition to them the likes of Wales and Vidosic are still strong options. With one possessing speed, speed and more speed and the other having previously represented Australia 23 times. No Fornarolli should mean no problem in a City victory.

Betting tip: Choose your selection as City to be victorious and hand Perth a first defeat of the campaign at $3.20 (Neds, UniBet, PalmerBet, BlueBet, Bet365)

Also choose your selection as both teams to find the back of the net at $1.67 (Ladbrokes)

 

Sunday, December 9

Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar 5:00 PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium View a detailed form guide for Newcastle v Brisbane

Last Round: The Jets were simply trounced 3-0 by City last time out. That while Brisbane got a bit feisty in their 2-1 defeat to Adelaide. The Jets had only 48% of the ball, saw only three of their shots go on target and gave away 14 fouls, four yellows included within that. It was a disappointing effort against the side they beat 2-1 last campaign to make it to the Grand Final. While to make matters worse they were down inside the games opening two minutes and aren’t in the Top Six. As for Brisbane John Aloisi verbally blasted Marco Kurz, both Regan and Mauk saw red. That while both were heavily involved in a brawl. And Henrique celebrated his 150th game for the Roar which kept them in the game. Brisbane were very poor in this match as they made only six tackles to Adelaide’s 17. Both sides proved last round that they are both very inconsistent.

This Round: One things for sure Ernie Merrick won’t be copping any abuse from the Aloisi brothers. But going onto the actual field this game is one that’s hard to get a read on. Both teams featured in the finals last season, but this campaign have been spluttering and spurting their way to inconsistent starts. Newcastle have only five points and for Brisbane that number is six. While both sides have also posted only one victory each to start of their new season with, not the greatest starts in the world by any stretch of the imagination! However with star-striker Adam Taggart possibly out due to injury, or if he does play he’ll be affected (five goals this season), expect a Newcastle attack featuring Vargas (two goals this season from 12 total shots) and Petratos (one goal, two assists) to help Newcastle to the closest of victories.

Betting tip: Choose your selection as Newcastle to win at $2.10 (Sportsbet)

Also choose your selection for Newcastle to score last at $1.75 (Neds)

Best Bet of the Round

My most favourite & best bet of the round is for both MEL and PER to find the back of the net at $1.67 (Ladbrokes), in their last three games alone they’ve produced nine total goals!