The following are previews with betting tips for Round 3 of the 2019/20 A-League season.
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Friday, October 25
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Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory7:30 PM AEDT, Suncorp Stadium |
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Roy O’Donovan! What more can you say? The man’s an utter, brilliant freak. With one of the last kicks of the game against Perth, he scored a simply incredible equalizer (95th minute). And as a result, playing away from home, it gave his new side the unexpected, shock draw against last seasons Minor Premiers. A simply awesome start to Robbie Fowler’s time in charge of Brisbane. Despite the Roar having the bulk of the possession, 55% vs 45%, they still shot horridly. They landed just two of their 11 attempted shots on target. Although, in all fairness to them, they also kept Perth to just the two shots on target throughout the match. One notable stat from this game was the Roar’s ill-discipline. They gave up 14 fouls throughout the game, not exactly a great thing to do. If they do this in and around the Victory’s attacking area then they could have a few goals put past them. That especially so, considering Melbourne are trying to shake of their early shaky season form.
After conceding goals in both the 54th and 62nd minutes of the match, the Victory got one back in the 72nd minute through Toivonen. But it wasn’t enough as they went down 2-1 to the Wanderers. A result that sees them with just the solitary point and goal through their first two games of the new campaign. Despite Mtelbourne owning 58% of the ball, they put just 3/13 shots on target. They did however have a shot come of the woodwork. Melbourne also completed 78% of their passes, 338/434. They also battled Western Sydney well. They won 59 duels, 23 aerial duels and seven takeons. There were some encouraging signs here for the losers, SOME. However, there’s still a lot they need to fix up if they wish to take all three points against Brisbane.
Past history- Melbourne have dominated recent proceedings between these two sides, winning six of the past eight clashes played between them. There has also been a draw and a Brisbane win in there as well. Over this period of time, the Victory have scored two or more goals in five of these matches. And four or more in three of them. The last game saw Melbourne win 2-1 courtesy of a Barbarouses double. He found the back of the net in the 24th and 39th minutes of the game. Bautheac got one back for Brisbane in the 50th minute. If there was ever a side and a game for the Victory to rebound against/ in, this is it.
Betting tip: Pick Melbourne to win at $2.45 (PlayUp)
Also pick them to score first at $1.93 (BetEasy)
Saturday, October 26
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Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United5:00 PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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Petratos held his nerve to re-do the penalty and it paid of, as he scored his sides only goal of the F3 Derby in a tight and tense 1-1 draw against the Mariners down in Gosford. Newcastle were down early, after they conceded a goal in only the 4th minute of the match, but they eventually worked their way back into the proceedings and came away in the end, with a hard-earned point. The Jets peppered away at the Mariners defence, as they took 16 total shots. That was of the back of their 52% possession, however, they saw just five of them go on target. They were pretty good at stifling the Mariners defence though, as they kept them to just a total of seven shots throughout the game. Newcastle were very good in some areas as they won 71 long balls to 59. And they also won 27 aerial duels to 25. They conceded just seven fouls and one yellow as well.
A Riley McGree goal wasn’t good enough to erase a Jamie Maclaren double as his side went down 2-1 to City. Adelaide to their credit played very well with 46% of the ball as they shot 5/12 on target. They also completed a respectable 78% of their passes, 377/482. They competed against City well, as they won 46 duels and 20 aerial duels. They also conceded just the nine fouls and saw neither any yellow or red cards. Despite the loss there was a lot to like from Adelaide in this game. And with their new signings getting more and more adjusted to the side and Adelaide getting better and better, you get the sense that they’re not that far of their maiden win of the campaign.
Past history- Adelaide knocked these sides out of this years edition of the FFA Cup when they last played each other. It was a close game in which Toure scored the only goal in the 42nd minute. Before that, their last A-League match was a 0-0 draw. Combined the two sides took 23 shots, but had just four hit the target. 25 Fouls were also conceded by the two sides collectively in that game. It was a sloppy, yet entertaining affair in which neither side particularly dominated the proceedings. But with the way both sides have been playing lately, a goal-fest could be coming round the corner, sooner as opposed to later.
Betting tip: Pick Newcastle to be victorious at $2.50 (SportsBet)
Also pick both teams to find the back of the net at $1.66 (Bet365, BetEasy, UniBet)
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC6:30 PM AEDT, Bankwest Stadium |
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Past history- This comes first before anything else, if only because of how one-sided and historically dominant it’s been. The Sky Blues have only a single loss in their past 17 matches against the Wanderers. It’s an incredible run that stretches all the way back to 2014, March 8th. Talk about having one over your rivals, they have several. When they last faced of, it ended as a one-one draw. Brosque opened the scoring for Sydney in just the 7th minute. And in the 57th minute, former-Wanderer and current-Sydney man Baumjohann scored for Western Sydney in the tense shootout. The Wanderers had 16 shots that day and Sydney 13. That game, exemplified a true Derby. Before that, Sydney won 3-1 in a game in which they had 24 shots to the Wanderers 7. And owned 73% of the ball to their 27%.
Matt Jurman is now with the Red & Black. Baumjohann is now with Sydney. The McGowan brothers are facing of against each other. Janjetovic used to call the brighter side of Sydney home. So, so many battles in this game this will make it as intense and as fiery as ever. Redmayne is another one, somebody who was a backup goal-keeper at the Wanderers and is now a current Socceroo with Sydney. It’s crazy! They will go hard at it, like they always do. And if a red is shown, don’t be surprised in the slightest. These Derbies always kick of and it’s amazing to watch. Neither side will be willing to step down in this one in what will be the first ever Derby played at Bankwest Stadium. This will be the game of the round, just watch incredible happen.
Western Sydney’s last game saw them beat the Victory 2-1. And Sydney’s last game was also a 2-1 victory over Wellington. The Wanderers scored through Baccus in the 54th minute and through Meier in the 62nd minute. They also managed to take 16 shots despite only having 42% of the ball. For Sydney, their goals came via O’Neil in the 17th minute and Grant with the winner in the 77th minute. And Grant’s strike came only eight minutes after the Phoenix had scored what they thought was the equalizer. Sydney shot 7/23 on target. Impressive as the 23 shots was, the Nix also saw 8/23 go on target.
Betting tip: Pick Sydney to win this one at $2.40 (SportsBet, UniBet)
Also pick the 2nd half to be the highest scoring one at $2.05 (TopBetta)
Sunday, October 27
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Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory4:00 PM AEDT, Westpac Stadium |
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Wellington came oh so close to securing a point against Sydney. But they weren’t able to get it done, as they went down to the reigning champs 2-1. Davila became the first Mexican to score in the A-League as he scored a fine goal in the 69th minute and in the process opened their scoring for the new season. That after they went scoreless against Western United last weekend. The Nix impressively, despite only having 45% possession, managed to shoot eight of their attempted 23 shots on target. And a lot of times, they caused the home side a whole heap of discomfort. They also completed a nice 80% of their passes, 326/409. 7 To 4 corners they had is one interesting stat to take from their match. Although it’s also a somewhat meaningless one. They kept up the pressure the entire match as they dominated the latter parts of the game. They won 69 duels and 20 aerial duels, as well as 22 takeons.
Kristian Popovic, the son of head coach Tony, scored the 76th minute equalizer against Western United in their 1-all draw last round. And what a special first A-League goal for him it was. With his Father watching, he must have been so proud. But, after two games it does leave the Glory with only two points. And so far, Fornaroli has been looking perhaps average and they are certainly missing Andy Keogh, a man who banged them in for fun last season, The Glory, owned 54% of the ball and shot 6/11 on target. They did however allow Western United to shoot 5/11 on target as well. They completed a strong 86% of their passes, 461/538. They also conceded just nine fouls and the solitary yellow.
Past history- The Glory have won their past two games against the Nix by a combined 8-0 scoreline. Ouch! Their last match-up was a 5 goals to 0 thrashing. That game, Keogh bagged a double. Castro, Ikonimidis and Santalab also all got on the score-sheet as well. Perth had an insane 64% possession that game as well as 37 shots. And they hit a quite surreal 17 of them on target. They also kept Wellington to just 3 from 8 that game. The Nix have arguably gotten worse since then and with the subtraction of Keogh, outside of that, Perth have stayed largely the same. Could another high-potent smashing be on the cards here?
Betting tip: Pick Perth to be victorious at $2.20 (SportsBet)
Also pick the total goals bracket to be 4+ at $2.90 (TopBetta)
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Western United v Melbourne City6:00 PM AEDT, GMHBA Stadium |
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Kone scored in the 49th minute last game for WU and as it turned out that would be their only goal of the match in what was an intense 1-1 draw with Perth. Kone scored with the nice header after he was assisted by Kilkenny. United only had 46% possession of the ball throughout the match, but they still managed to shoot a respectable 5/11 on target. They also completed 82% of their passes, 380/465. They won 59 duels and pushed Perth hard in that department. But aerial wise, they were all of, as they won just 10 aerial duels to the Glory’s 15. They also conceded a massive 17 fouls along with two yellows. City have a high-flying attack so far this season, so WU might want to tidy themselves up a bit for this first ever Derby clash. Outside of that though, they look to be a solid yet not spectacular side that is finding a way to grind out results. So far from their opening two games, they have two 1-1 draws on the books already.
City beat Adelaide in their last game last round as Jamie Maclaren was superb as he bagged a nice double, as he continued his rich vein of top, top goal-scoring form. He got one in the 24th minute and then again four minutes later in the 28th minute. He proved why he was missed by City in the opening Melbourne Derby against the Victory. City owned 54% of the ball and had 4/12 shots go on target. They also had a shot come of the woodwork. 80% Of their passes were completed, a solid rate, 475/592. They also won 54 duels and 23 aerial duels. They conceded only five fouls as they were quite strong in that area. All in all, they deserved their three points against Adelaide. City will come into this one fairly confident of taking the three points and rightfully so.
It’s hard to tell what to expect from this one. But one amazing battle to look forward to will be the battle of the strikers, Berisha vs Maclaren. Berisha will be disappointed he didn’t get one against Perth last weekend. And if Maclaren was hungrier against Adelaide, he could have potentially and realistically had 3 or 4. Both these men know what it takes to find the back of the net. And in his last 7 games overall, (City in A-League & FFA Cup and the Soceroos), ‘Macca’ has scored an outstanding 12 strikes. And Berisha as we know set records alight in the A-League and is as potent as they come when situated in front of goals. Just look at all the goals he’s scored and trophies he’s won. Even if your not a fan of the teams, watch it just for this ensuing, awesome battle.
Betting tip: Pick City to win at $3.20 (SportsBet)
Also pick them to score the first goal of the game at $2.13 (BetEasy)
Best Bet of the Round
Pick City to win at $3.20 (SportsBet)
Also pick them to score the first goal of the game at $2.13 (BetEasy)