The following are previews with betting tips for Round 4 of the 2019/20 A-League season.
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Friday, November 1
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Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets7:30 PM AEDT, Leichhardt Oval |
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The VAR was a massive, dominant talking-point in Sydney FC’s 1-0 loss to Western Sydney. Only their 2nd loss to their rivals in the past 18 matches played against one another. The ball appeared to go over the line for a Sydney goal, before the Wanderers picked it up in their own box. However, upon looking at it/ reviewing it, they decided that not the whole ball had crossed the line and therefore it didn’t count. Safe to say supporters of the A-League in general have been up in arms about it and the social media attacks have been vicious. Sydney had 20 shots in total. That was along with their 68% possession and two shots of the woodwork. It just didn’t come together for Steve Corica’s side this game. And the finishing touch was the only major thing lacking from their performance. If they play this way, against the Jets at home, then Newcastle could be in some real, real trouble here.
McGree scored two against his former side, as he came back to haunt them in the Jets 2-1 defeat to Adelaide. However in a positive, Arroyo bagged his first goal in the A-League on the 37 minute mark. The Jets played quite well, as they owned 55% of the ball. They also managed to fire away 18 shots at goal against Adelaide’s defence. They had eight shots on target to their four. They also won 53 duels to their 50 and 23 aerial duels to their 19. Fouls-wise, they conceded 14. They’ll be heading into this game against underdogs vs the Sky Blues. Keeping the fouls to a minimum would do their chances of an upset no harm at all.
Past History- The past three matches played between these two sides have been split at a Sydney win, a Jets victory and a 1-1 draw. The last match played, was a 2-0 Newcastle win. Kantarovski struck first in the 41st minute and Petratos finished them of in the 52nd minute with a goal of his own. Sydney were by far the stronger side in that game. That was as, they had 53% possession and from 23 shots attempted, they landed 10 on target. Both sides also completed their passes at a high rate that game. Newcastle at 81% and Sydney at 83%.
Betting tip: Pick Sydney to be victorious at $1.57 (Sportsbet)
Also pick them to score first at $1.44 (Beteasy)
Saturday, November 2
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar5:00 PM AEDT, Bankwest Stadium |
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The VAR might have played a crucial part in their victory, but the Wanderers could’ve cared less as they came out victorious for just the 2nd time in 18 Derbies, with a 1-0 win over Sydney. In the first ever Derby at Bankwest Stadium, Mitch Duke got his own slice of history with the inaugural goal in the 19th minute of the game. They also kept their opponents to just 4/20 shots on target. Although, they were only 2/10 themselves. However, given that they held just 32% of the ball throughout the game, it was fairly impressive that they came away with all three points. Passing-wise, they were pretty terrible though, as they completed them at just a 66% rate, good for 168/256. And fouls-wise, wasn’t exactly a strong suit for them either as they gave up 14 and conceded three yellows as well.
Despite dominating their game, the Roar couldn’t come up tops as they went down 1-0 to the Victory at Suncorp Stadium. They had 17 shots and 66% possession, but they couldn’t get it done. They won 84% of their passes, good for 54/651. They also won 62 duels to Melbourne’s 46. And 26 aerial duels to their 19. They won basically everywhere but the score-board, the one place that matters. One weak area for them though, was the 16 fouls that they conceded. Western Sydney are in red-hot form at the moment and will make Brisbane play for their silly errors.
Past History- Brisbane haven’t beaten Western Sydney in their past five attempts of doing so. And during that five game run, the Red & Black have beaten the Roar 4-1, 3-0 and 2-0, with the other two both being 2-2 draws. Riera bagged a double, while both Bonevacia and Duke also got on the score-sheet during that most recent rout. However ironically, it was Wenzel-Halls who opened the scoring in that one, banging one into the back of the net in just the 7th minute of the match. As history shows however, Brisbane couldn’t go on with the job. The Wanderers had 26 shots that game and seven on target, in what was a massive sign of their dominance in that one.
Betting tip: Pick the Wanderers to win at $1.88 (Playup)
Also pick both teams to score at $1.70 (Bet365)
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Melbourne Victory v Western United7:30 PM AEDT, Marvel Stadium |
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Andrew Nabbout. Andrew Nabbout. Andrew Nabbout!!! The man did what he was/ is paid to do as he scored the games only goal in the 19th minute, thus giving the Victory their first three points of the season. And he did so despite his side having only four shots on target the entire match. And despite Brisbane peppering them with 17 shots at their goals. However, it didn’t matter, as his side left Brisbane with the nice 1-0 win. And despite Melbourne having just 34% possession, they also hit the woodwork once. And they could’ve probably had two or three goals with a bit more precision and determination. Melbourne gave away 13 fouls and completed only 73% of their passes. This game at times was ugly, it was painful to watch for some moments, however none of that matters for Marco Kurz who now officially has his maiden A-League win as head Victory coach.
A Berisha penalty wasn’t enough against Melbourne City, as Jamie Maclaren bit back at his rivals with the late winner, that broke all of Western United’s fans hearts. Kurto played insanely well for Western United, as at times throughout the game, he kept them in it with some simply awesome saves. However, it wouldn’t matter as his side would lose 2-1 to them in their inaugural Derby against City. Western United suffered the defeat despite City being a man down from the 64th minute onwards, courtesy of a Delbridge red card. United played fine despite the loss, as they had 55% possession and shot six shots of an attempted 15 on target. They also hit the woodwork once and completed 82% of their passes, 419/514.
Key Player- You can’t go past Andrew Nabbout for the Victory. He was the decisive goal-scorer in the Victory’s 1-0 win against Brisbane. He also completed nine accurate passes, good for 75% overall. And won his only aerial duel attempt of the game. Outside of that, on the season he has three shot assists and 45 accurate passes. He’s also won all of his tackles and three takeons. He’s trying to give them at least something lethal up front and he’s doing a decent job of it. Given Western United have scored a goal in every single game they’ve played so far this season, Nabbout playing a large offensive, effective role, will be crucial in the Victory’s pursuit of a win.
Betting tip: Pick the Victory, to just like last weekend claim all three points at $2.20 (Playup, Sportsbet, Bet365)
Also pick the 2nd half to be the highest scoring one at $2.08 (Topbetta)
Sunday, November 3
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Melbourne City v Wellington Phoenix4:00 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Jamie Maclaren once in the 32nd minute, Jamie Maclaren again in the 85th minute. He couldn’t and can’t be stopped, as he scored the deathly winner against their rivals Western United last round. And they did so, despite Delbridge missing for a lot of the 2nd half, due to him seeing red, in the tight and tense 2-1 win. City did extremely well to bounce back from their mid-week FFA Cup thrashing at the hands of Adelaide, as they now sit 2nd on the A-League ladder. And despite having just 45% possession throughout the match, they still shot, 9/15 on target. They had three blocked shots and made 76% of their passes. 317/416. They won 51 duels and matched it aerially with Western United as well, with each side winning 14 in that department. They won 11 takeons to their nine as well. They bounced back in a BIG, BIG way. Full credit to the away side in this one.
Hooper, the former Celtic man, made his debut in the 2nd half for the Nix as they chased the win. That should’ve been the talking point from this one. But instead it was how an early Perth tackle, nearly broke a Nix’s player leg, had no intent of going for the ball, yet was just a yellow. Had the Nix received the red in their favor, it may have changed the entire outcome of the game for them. But instead, they were forced to suffer a 2-1 defeat. Davila, the former Chelsea man, did convert from the spot in the 95th minute to give the home-side something to cheer about though. Wellington dominated the possession game with 58% of the ball. Keeping the reigning Minor Premiers to just 42%, a pretty mean feat when you consider the talent difference between the two sides. Wellington also shot 4/14 on target and had one come of the woodwork.
City have won seven of the past 10 games played between these two sides. But only one of the past four. Their last win against the Nix was on, November 9th, 2018, where they beat the 2-0. That day, de Laet and Fornaroli scored in the easy win for Melbourne. And they kept Wellington to just five shots in total and only the solitary shot on target. However, the latest match played between these two sides, saw Krishna score three and McGree two in a tight 3-2 win favoring the Nix. Krishna’s goal at the death in the 94th minute was what won it for the New Zealand based home-side.
Betting tip: Pick City to be victorious at $1.60 (Betfair)
Also pick them to be the only goal-scorers in this match at $2.08 (Topbetta, Beteasy)
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Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners6:00 PM AEDT, HBF Park |
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Fornaroli scored his first goal for the Glory in just the 11th minute of their match against Wellington. He also assisted Ikonomidis’s goal in the 33rd minute. It actually ended up close as the Glory prevailed 2-1. But only because they were lucky early on when they received a yellow, that should’ve been a red. And as well as that, with the final play of the game they conceded a penalty. Despite only having 42% possession, they still shot 8/13 on target. They also won 49 duels and 12 aerial duels, closely matching the Nix in that regard. They did however, concede 14 fouls and two yellows, while they were forced to make 18 tackles. Not everything went their way this match and the Mariners are a changed side. Tony Popovic should have his side well-prepared for this one, cause it’ll be no walk-over, like that of seasons past, that’s for sure!
The Mariners had a bye last round. And their game before that was a 1-all draw against the Jets in the F3 Derby. Duric opened the scoring in just the 4th minute of the match, as the home-side to a nice, yet unexpected 1-0 lead. However, Petratos would eventually equalize for the away side with a re-taken penalty in the 56th minute of the match. This game was a sign of how far the Mariners have improved on their both terrible and shocking last campaign. They were competitive and perhaps deserved the win against their arch-rivals. The CCM had 48% possession and shot 4/8 on target. They also kept Newcastle to just 5/17 on target. The Mariners also very unluckily had two shots come of the woodwork. Outside of that, they won 61 duels and 25 aerial duels.
Past History- The Glory have a commanding history against the Mariners. As they have won five of the past six games that they have played against them. The last match played, was an easy 3-0 win to the Glory. Chianese struck first in the 12th minute, Djulbic struck second in the 29th minute. And Kilkenny landed the killer blow in the 57th minute. That match, Perth had 51% possession and shot a very impressive 7/11 on target throughout the game. Outside of that, they also had a shot come of the woodwork. Before that, the game-score was 4-1. Murray scored the only goal for the CCM. While, Perth’s goal-scorers were a double to Ferreira and a double to Keogh. Perth had 17 shots that game and eight on target. In comparison the Mariners had just two on target!
Betting tip: Pick Perth to claim the win at $1.45 (Sportsbet, Playup)
Also pick them to strike first at $1.40 (Beteasy)
Best Bet of the Round
Betting tip: Pick Perth to claim the win at $1.45 (Sportsbet, Playup)
Also pick them to strike first at $1.40 (Beteasy)