The following are previews with betting tips for Round 11 of the 2019/20 A-League season.
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Friday, December 20
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Western United7:30 PM AEDT, Bankwest Stadium |
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Last Round- For the Wanderers it was a disappointing 2-0 defeat to the Glory, which in turn, leaves them stranded in 7th place on the ladder on only 10 points. Despite having 59% possession, they shot only 3/11 on target. Although they did have a shot come of the woodwork. They completed a strong 84% of their passes, which was good for 420/502. WU are 3rd on the ladder with 16 points after they eased to an easy 2-0 win over the Roar in Brisbane. Pain scored 1st in the 11th minute and then Berisha struck against his former side at his old stomping-ground with a goal of his own in the 46th minute. WU only owned 29% of the ball, yet they still managed to land 3/6 shots on target. They also completed 78% of their passes, good for 222/286.
Previous History- When these sides last met, WU prevailed with a close 2-1 win at GMHBA Stadium. Duke opened the scoring in the 5th minute for the WSW. But Durante equalized for the home side just eight small minutes later. And in the 58th minute, Appiah-Kubi scored what proved to be the winner as he completed his redemption story. He had been a replacement for Berisha earlier in the week. What a goal! WU shot 5/15 on target. And WSW shot 2/6 on target. WU had four of their shots blocked and WSW zero.
What Should Happen- A win to Western Sydney. WU might’ve been rattled a bit by rumors suggesting that several of their best players want out, including McDonald, the former Socceroo. And the Wanderers will be as desperate as they’ll ever be to get themselves back into finals contention, especially with their Gaffer’s head supposedly on the chopping block. WU look pretty good after their 2-0 win last round, so it’ll be by no means an easy task to beat them. But in a week of various bad events, pick the Wanderers to push them aside the easier of the two successful clubs.
Betting tip: Pick the WSW to claim the win at $2.50 (SportsBet)
Also pick them to score first at $1.93 (BetEasy)
Saturday, December 21
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Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC2:45 PM AEDT, Westpac Stadium |
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Last Round- The Nix drew a scrappy affair with the Victory, one in which it ended in a dour 0-0. They might’ve had two shots hit the woodwork, but the Nix were terrible otherwise as they landed just two of their attempted 17 shots on target. And that was despite having 64% possession. They completed 89% of their passes, good for 539/608. They are now a nice 6th on the ladder and have a GD of only -1 now. Sydney on the other hand claimed a W, but only just, as they prevailed 1-0 over the Mariners at home. SYD have won 8/9 matches played this season and are five points clear of 2nd placed City. Barbarouses opened the scoring for the Sky Blues in the 5th minute, but that proved to be the only goal of the match. Sydney had 56% possession and shot 2/8 on target. They did however complete 86% of their passes, good for 544/630.
Previous History- Sydney have been victorious in 10 of their past 15 clashes against Wellington. The past three matches have all ended in their favor, 2-1, 1-0 and 1-0. The most recent match saw O’Neil score in the 17th minute, only for Davila to equalize in the 69th. Grant would then score the winner in the 77th minute of the match. Aiding Sydney’s cause was a red card to Cacace which benefited them obviously in the latter stages of the game.
What Should Happen- A win to Sydney. Sorry to the Nix, but Sydney will bring their dream run crashing to a sudden halt. Against one of the worst Victory sides the A-League has ever witnessed, the Nix could only muster up 2/17 shots on target! Yep, 2/17! How on earth will they then fare against a defensively stoic side and one who’s just kept a clean sheet? Wellington will fight and they showed that they will/won’t be afraid to scrap via their 15 fouls. + With Ninkovic soon to announce where he’ll be next season, expect the midfield maestro to put in a master-class performance in his sides efforts.
Betting tip: Pick Sydney to be victorious at $2.24 (BetEasy)
Also pick them to find the back of the net first at $1.84 (BetEasy)
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Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory5:00 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Last Round- A Luna double, one to Cabera and an = A-League 10th best goal of the season to Maclaren saw City thrash Newcastle 4-0 last round. Luna opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute of the match and from their the incredible onslaught started. City owned 47% of the ball and shot 8/21 on target. They also had a shot hit the woodwork. They completed 80% of their passes at 349/437. They sit comfortably in 2nd place on 19 points. They have won six of their nine matches played so far this season. The Victory were fuming after their 0-0 draw with Wellington as Dobras received a red card in the 60th minute as a result of being handed his second yellow. Down a man for the rest of the game MEL did well to hold on for a point. The Victory had 36% possession and despite having a shot hit the woodwork, they shot an overall terrible 1/12 on target. They completed 76% of their passes, good for 251/330. They currently sit in 8th on the ladder on just nine points.
Previous History- The past three games played between these two sides in the Melbourne Derby have all ended as draws. They’ve been 0-0, 1-1 and 1-1 respectively. The last 0-0 game saw the Victory leak six fouls and one yellow. City on the other hand were fouling left, right and center as they gave up 16 and three yellows! OUCH! That match saw the Victory go only 1/6 on target. Meanwhile the sky blue side of Melbourne shot 4/17. Hopefully these two sides can produce a bit more goals this time around.
What Should Happen- A win to City. As mentioned before, this is a really, really crappy Victory side. Among some of their worse match’s this season in the A-League/FFA Cup have been 2-3 to the Jets, zero goals vs City, blew a 2-0 lead to WU, went down 3-1 to ADL and zero goals against the Nix. It doesn’t exactly make for pretty readings does it? In comparison, the other side of Melbourne has won six of their nine games played, is in 2nd place and has an A-League 2nd best GD of +6. Yes in Melbourne Derbies both side pick it up a notch or 100. But with City’s recent goal-scoring form + with people like Luna hitting top-form, the sky blue side of MEL will be a very, very difficult proposition to fathom this game.
Betting tip: Pick City to be the winners in this one at $2.00 (SportsBet)
Also pick them to reach three goals first at $3.85 (BetEasy)
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Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets7:30 PM AEDT, HBF Park |
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Last Round- Perth currently occupy a finals spot and claimed just their 3rd victory of the season as they beat the Red & Black of Western Sydney 2-0. Wutrich opened the scoring in the 18th minute, before Grant sealed the result with a goal of his own in the 66th minute. Perth had just 41% possession but still managed to land 6/16 shots on target + they had a shot hit the woodwork. They completed 77% of their passes which was good for 274/357 The Jets were humbled 4-0 by City last round as they were humiliated at their own home-ground. They conceded a goal to Luna in just the 3rd minute of the match and from there in onward the goals came rolling in. They are currently 10th as a result and have a bad, bad GD of -6. They owned 53% of the ball and shot 6/13 on target. They completed a solid 82% of their passes at 405/492.
Previous History- The Glory have beaten and whooped and hurt the Jets in 15 of the past 20 matches they’ve versed them in. That’s such a commanding history from Perth. However, the last match played between the two sides ended 1-1 in Newcastle. Hoffman opened the scoring in the 31st minute, before Castro scored late in the 86th minute to salvage a point for the away side. Grant got a red just one minute after Diego’s goal to make for a very interesting and frantic finish to the match. If this game is anything like the last, then we’re in for an absolute treat.
What Should Happen- A win to Perth. Perth won 2-0 last round. The Jets lost by a massive four. The Glory also scored three in their game before that against the then/still 2nd placed City. That round Newcastle only mustered up 6/31 shots on target. Perth should have a field day in this game and I thoroughly expect them to win by 2+, perhaps even 3 goals +. If certain things go the Glory’s way, it could get as high as 4 or 5. NEW will be smashed this match. And that’s a safe of a bet that you could possibly make this round. Sorry Ernie Merrick, but your men are about to get rolled for their lunch money and then some.
Betting tip: Pick Perth to be in the winners circle at $1.70 (BetFair)
Also pick them to score three goals first at $3.05 (BetEasy)
Sunday, December 22
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Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United6:00 PM AEDT, Central Coast Stadium |
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Last Round- The Mariners are dead last on just seven points. This comes after their closely contested 1-0 defeat to A-League leaders Sydney FC last round. They conceded a goal in the 5th minute to veteran Barbarouses, but that proved to be the only goal scored throughout the duration of the match. They had 44% possession and shot 3/11 on target. They completed a nice 85% of their passes, good for 407/480. Adelaide had a bye last round, so their last game was in Round Nine. Their they claimed a tight 2-1 win over the Jets. Blackwood scored for them in the 30th minute. While Troisi scored the late 83rd minute winner, much to the delight of the home fans. Adelaide had 47% of the ball and had a shot hit the woodwork. They shot 4/13 on target overall. They also completed 72% of their passes, good for 268/370.They are currently 4th and have five wins from eight matches played so far this season.
Previous History- The Reds have beaten the Mariners in nine of the past 10 matches in which they’ve played them in. The last game proved to be an easy-as-you-like 3-1 win to Adelaide. Duric opened the scoring in the 6th minute for the CCM, but that was about as good as it got for them. As goals from Halloran, Mileusnic and Opseth sealed the result. ADL had 52% of the ball and the CCM 48%. ADL shot 12/26 on target and the opposition 6/12. ADL completed 74% of their passes and the CCM 73%. They were good for 313/422 and 252/387 respectively.
What Should Happen- A draw. The Mariners should be to spirited to lose and Adelaide might just not be good enough to win. Depending on how either side plays, the match could go either way. Adelaide have by far the better chance of claiming all three points, but you can never truly discount a battling Mariners side. In order for the CCM to have a chance at getting something from this game, their defence needs to be on point as it was last round. They kept Sydney to 1-0 after they had scored five the round before. And they only allowed them to go 2/8 on target. This sort of stifling defence will go great against a side that isn’t traditionally known for it’s offensive prowess to begin with.
Betting tip: Pick the end result to be a draw at $4.00 (SportsBet)
Also pick both teams to score at least once at $1.53 (Bet365)
Best Bet of the Round
Pick Perth to be in the winners circle at $1.70 (BetFair)
Also pick them to score three goals first at $3.05 (BetEasy)